Astronomer says Oct 17 ‘big-change day’

Astronomer says Oct 17 ‘big-change day’

By Amar Guriro

KARACHI: A Hindu astronomy expert is expecting a major change in the general situation of South Asian countries, especially India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, after October 17 this year. “Shani (the god of Saturday’s star), the fifth star of the constellation Leo, is in the same position as it was in 1947, in 1977 and now in 2007. This star is in the same position every 30 years,” Maharaj Premchand Haimchand, a Pakistani-Hindu pundit and expert of astronomy from Sanghar, told Daily Times. Suriya (The Sun Star) changes position every 27 days and on October 17 it will change to its new position. Shani will also move and be in the same position as it was 30 years ago, Haimchand added. Haimchand records all of his predications and many of them, he claimed, have come true in the past. “In 1947 when Shani was in position, the subcontinent divided and hundreds were killed in riots,” he recalled. “Asian countries experience change with the movement of Shani.” The first general elections held under a civilian rule took place in 1977 and Zulfikar Bhutto’s PPP won most of the seats in Parliament but, after charges of fraud, he agreed to hold a new election. Before it could be held, the army staged a coup and ousted Bhutto, he added. “From past experiences, something new will happen to South Asia,” he said. “Meanwhile, the prices of white coloured commodities, including cotton, flour, rice and sugar, will rise,” he predicted.