Astrological ‘death’ of Aedes aegypti !

Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

The future of Aedes aegypti mosquito is in the hands of astrologers, now! Adding up to the team of health officials combating dengue menace is an army of astrologers who are devising ways and means to astrologically kill the dreaded dengue ‘dacoit’.

Such is the panic among city residents that they are making a beeline for soothsayers seeking astrological ‘treatment’ for dengue and ways to dodge the disease.

Confirming the same, city-based astrologer Madan Gupta Spatu says, “In the past one week, I have dealt with about 10-15 such cases. People are looking for astrological remedies for dengue fever.” 

He, however, says his foremost duty as a responsible citizen is not to mislead  such persons but to guide them properly as they already in distress. “In such cases, I recommend medical treatment,” Gupta says matter-of-factly.

And kid yourself not by thinking that these are the people with lower or no educational level or those from the lower strata of society. “Most of the people who have approached me over the past few days seeking ways to dodge dengue are well-educated and from well-to-do families, many residing in Sectors of 8, 9 and 35. I even received a query from an IAS officer whose son is suffering from dengue as to how more pain and trouble could be warded off,” says another city-based astrologer and tarot reader Disha A. Singal.

Singal reflects that there is widespread panic among residents of the city and surrounding areas about dengue. She, like Gupta, suggests such people to approach a medical specialist and ensure cleanliness in and around their homes.

Santosh Mishra, a Panchkula-based astrologer, says, “It is true that a large number of people are queuing up on the doorstep of astrologers and priests with requests to forecast their future and organise special prayers for their families to help them evade dengue and other illnesses. While prayers never harm anyone, one must not solely depend on them. Seek expert medical help before it is too late.” We can’t agree more!