INDIAN SCIENTISTS LOOK TO STARS TO CURE HEART PATIENTS

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, July 6 (Bernama) -- Indian astro scientists have become
starry-eyed. They are looking to the stars to heal heart patients.

While it may sound out of this world (pardon the pun), scientists at the
Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi have resorted to doing exatly that.

They are boldly taking the science of astrology to a new dimension.

The scientists are busying calculating the movements of stars and planets of
patients to understand how they can reduce or avert the increasing heart-related
diseases -- merely using their horoscopes.

"We have studied about 80 horoscopes of people, their place of birth, time
of birth and the position of their planets.

"Then, we advise them accordingly, when a person is likely to suffer heart
ailment, under what situation, or the right time for a person to undergo surgery
if he is advised by a doctor.

"We refer to ancient astrology books where the knowledge of diseases and
its treatment were recorded, ages ago. We have, so far, recorded a 70 per cent
success rate," Dr Shatrughan Tripathi, head of the project at Banaras University
told Bernama in a recent interview.

Impressed by the celestial findings, India's University Grants Commission
has permitted Dr Shatrughan and his team to further the project with a RM45,000
fund ing for the next three years.

Now, several 'astrology hospitals' have emerged in Varanasi in the northern
state of Uttar Pradesh, where astrologers prescribe suitable gem stones, beads,
mantras and herbal medicines to patients.

"Heart disease is a major problem and it is even mentioned in over 60
ancient texts like the Rigveda (Hindu scared book). We are not doing something
new, we are only trying to promote traditional astrology in a more scientific
method.

"For a start, we are focusing on heart...later, we will move to other
diseases related to eyes, kidney and liver," said Dr Shatrughan.
-- BERNAMA