Accuracy in predictive astrology ? A Test.

[Guest guest]

vbdeshmukh <deshmukhvCc: Prakash Ghatpande <soudnya, Rationalist-owner

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

While a discussion about the success or failures in

astrological predictions in terms of percentage is on

in the Forum, I have in this regard an interesting

news published by the Maharashtra Andha-shraddha

Nirmulan Samitee in their NEWSLETTER ISSUE # 14. I

think there are some Practising Astrologers who may

like to take on this Open Challenge.

ANS NEWSLETTER

ISSUE # 14

In this issue........

• Open Challenge To Astrology

• Portable Planetarium

 

OPEN CHALLENGE TO ASTROLOGY

Barring a few exceptions, almost all societies in the

whole world assume that

astrology has basis of scientific principles. This

fact has been challenged time and

time again by scientific communities of the western

world. However, Indian scientific

community had never taken heed of this fraudulent

business so far. But this is the

first time in India, ANS is conducting a systematic

scientific investigation under the

able guidance of noted astrophysicist Dr. Jayant

Narlikar and with the active

participation of Inter University Centre for Astronomy

and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and

Statistics Department of Pune University. ANS had

evolved the methodology for

testing the scientific basis of astrology through

statistical methods under the

guidance of statistical dept. Shri Prakash Ghatpande

has been nominated as a

coordinator for this project.

ANS has collected the requisite data like birth date,

birth place, etc, of 100 students

studying in special schools for mentally retarded

children with the signed consent of

their parents. ANS has also gathered similar type of

data of 100 students who had

scored more than 70 % consistently in each examination

conducted by the school

authorities and have been termed as intelligent

students attending normal schools.

ANS is of the opinion that intelligence and mental

retardation are very distinct and

prominent characteristics of a person which determines

the future of a person. If that

is so, the same should have been reflected in any

futuristic predictions. As such ANS

invites publicly to all those involved in prediction

business i.e. noted astrologers,

astrology institutions, professionals in astrology

etc, to participate in the scientific

tests. ANS will send the details of 40 students chosen

randomly to the

persons/institutions willing to participate in the

test along with the guidelines and

criteria. Based on the data provided, the receivers

are required to predict whether the

data belongs to intelligent student or otherwise. If

the predictions are at least 90 %

accurate, then only the astrology can be subjected for

further tests to ascertain its

2

scientific basis. If it fails to achieve 70 %

accuracy, then it can be safely assumed that

astrology is a load of hokum. If the predictions lie

between 70 to 90 % range we can

then retest the same with still larger samples of

data.

The above information was disseminated in a press

conference held in Pune. Dr

Jayant Narlikar, Prof Kunte of Pune University, Dr

Narendra Dabholkar and Prakash

Ghatpande attended the press conference. This

information was also passed on to

almost all districts of Maharashtra through our

network of activists. The enquiries

have started pouring in. Statistical Department will

test the submitted information by

using double blind testing methods. Those who are

still interested in participating the

tests are requested to contact ANS activists for

further information and guidelines.

The participants will be provided the desired data of

students after 15th June.

Astrology has so far failed in establishing its

scientific credentials. No institution or a

studious person of this profession has bothered to do

any systematic research in this

field nor has collected statistical data in support of

astrology. In spite of these facts,

UGC has approved the conduct of courses in Astrology

in a few universities and

colleges since it was insisted by the then HRD

Minister Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi of

BJP. The present UPA Govt promised to review this fact

as soon as they assumed

power a few years back. So far nothing has been done

in this regard. ANS had

recently revived this issue and had written letters to

HRD minister Arjun Singh, Shri

Prakash Karat and Shri Sitaram Yechuri requesting them

to reassess the action

taken by earlier ministry. ANS is on the verge of

initiating movement in this regard.

In fact, the British Govt is thinking of replacing the

Fraudulent Medium Act, 1951 with

a new Act which will empower to lodge a case in the

Court of Law if the predictions

did not come true. If an astrologer predicts a happy

marriage and at the end if it turns

out to be inaccurate the couple can go to court

against the astrologer. The Bill will be

passed in the House of Lords soon. However the

fraudulent professionals are worried

about their future and livelihood. It is a 40 million

Sterling Pound business in UK.

Incidentally ANS is also demanding to bring the

astrologers under the purview of Law

for last so many years.

E Mail ID of the Project Co-ordinator Shri Prakash

Ghatpande is : soudnya

 

Regards,

VB Deshmukh

 

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