NOT SO SWEET 2010, SAY INDIAN ASTROLOGERS

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- With the 2010 calendar opening Friday, many
would be scurrying to gaze at crystal balls and flip tarot cards with anxiety to
check what is in store for the new year.

Well, let's hear from the Indian astrologers, who are busy predicting what
the future holds. Tarot card readers, palmists, psychic readers and astrologers
are burning the midnight oil to map out what 2010 will bring to individuals and
the world at large.

But Indian experts don't sound sanguine this year. For instance,
Kerala-based astrologer Dr Attukal Radhakrishnan predicts that until May, it
would be a tough year in all aspects.

"It is not so good until May. There will be problems of employment,
terrorism and health-related matters," he says, based on his astrological
reading.

But Radhakrishnan, who has been in the astrology field for the past 30
years, concludes that the second half of the year would bring some positive
changes.

Even the most established Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS)
prognosis is not so bullish on 2010. It predicts a bumpy year ahead as the
planetary alignment, according to Hindu astrology, is not favourable this year.

"There will be some progress in 2010 but more trying times for the world
because the year starts with a solar eclipse, which shall create some problems.

"Besides, the influence of the Saturn and Mars planets will have some impact
and create challenges for the masses. There will be three more eclipses this
year," ICAS president A.B. Shukla told Bernama.

The world would continue to witness more ethnic violence, militancy, tsunami
and even political upheavals in some countries, he said, basing his predictions
on the ancient Vedic astrology.

But astrologers share a similar view on agriculture and food production,
which is a pressing problem for the world's six billion people.

"We can expect more rainfall in 2010 and food production will improve this
year. This continent (Asia) is dominated by the zodiac signs Capricorn and
Aquarius.

"So, the Asian economy is likely to come up and the growth rate will be
achieved above the expected targets," said Satish Sharma, ICAS chief executive
officer.

But alas, none predicted the outcome of the World Cup Hockey tournament in
Delhi in March nor the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games or the World Cup Football
in South Africa later this year.
-- BERNAMA