Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Predicting the future is not an easy task. Debesh Banerjee takes on the challenge to see what the cards have in store for him
I have always been wary of approaching roadside astrologers. It does seem strange that a man armed with a bird and a couple of cards can tell you what the universe has in store for you. When I was told by my boss to be an astrologer for a day, it did seem the cosmic powers were trying to send me a message. I agreed.
My destination is the Garden of Five Senses in Delhi where a resident astrologer and his bird, a 8216;tota8217;parrot tell the future for a sum of Rs 100. We find the soothsayer in a saffron robe, with a string of beads around his neck and a vermilion smear on his forehead. 8220;Come my child, take a seat. My name is Pandit Manoj Rao Bhatte. So you would like to know your future?8221; he politely enquires, as his hands get down to the task of arranging his pack of 8216;future8217; cards. He obviously does not foresee me asking him if I could assist him for a day.
You can8217;t help but imagine how a person8217;s future rests on a parrot8217;s whim! 8220;I know what you are thinking,8221; says Panditji. 8220;The bird8217;s decision is like a shagun. You must accept it as your destiny. The bird tells ones star sign based on the name and not the sun sign,8221; he continues. 8220;You then read out the verses on the card and narrate the future. This would tell a person8217;s future for the next few years.8221; Seems simple enough.
My first customer is a man in his early 20s who looks quite dejected. I am not sure if I am his best bet in the time of need. I try my best to cover my flashy T-shirt with my shawl. The real panditji8217;s reassuring glance settles him. 8220;Hello,8221; I proceed to shake his hand. Panditji intervenes and gestures me to fold my hands together. 8220;Namaste!8221;
8220;Call me Panditji. What is your name?8221; I ask. 8220;Rupinder,8221; he answers somberly. 8220;Raju ji, Rupinder ji ke naam ka patta nikalo,8221; I instruct the parrot who promptly picks up a card and hands it over. I flip open the card to find Hindi sentences printed in fine script. I hesitate a bit but with the real Panditji beside me, I confidently read out the lines. 8220;Tumhari tula rashi hai. You are a Libran.8221; Rupinder agrees. I clinch my fists in a silent celebration. 8220;Grah ka upay nikale.8221; In other words, 8220;Worship whichever god you believe in. If you do not believe in any god, then respect your elders or someone you look up to.8221; The Panditji nods in agreement. Rupinder listens attentively. 8220;Karaye sach. You will find peace in coming days.8221; By now my confidence is sky high. I try to keep a straight face as I say, 8220;Kharch badega. You will incur expenses. You just need to be patient.8221; Rupinder bows his head, folds his hands, pays money and leaves. My future as an astrologer does look rosy.
8220;Well done, for a first timer. You have been lucky. But telling someone8217;s future is not that easy. It involves complex equations. The bird makes our task easy since what he decides is all destiny,8221; says Panditiji.
Soon a young boy and his mother approach us. 8220;Namaste panditji, can u tell my son8217;s future. His name is Sunil and is very adamant,8221; says his 30-something mother. 8220;You are an Aquarian and this year is lucky for you. You will catch up with friends and relatives.8221; The boy gets excited and starts jumping around. His mother tries hard to calm him. But in his excitement he pulls off my shawl revealing my funky T-shirt and blowing my cover. 8220;What8217;s that! You are not an astrologer,8221; the mother gets annoyed. Panditji intervenes and calms her down. 8220;Relax, he is an apprentice, I am teaching him how to be an astrologer,8221; he assures her. But the woman is not convinced and drags her son away. That signals the end of my stint as an astrologer. A small crowd has now gathered to look at the fake astrologer. Panditji remains unruffled. He says, 8220;I guess it was meant to be. It must have been written in your stars.8221; I hear Raju8217;s shrill goodbye.
