Solar Eclipse and Famine

The Solar Eclipse took place in Pushyami[Pooyam] Star owned by Saturn in Cancer Sign, which is the third sign of Indian Independence Chart.

According to Varahamihira, If Sun and Moon are eclipsed, there would be danger to autumnal crops as well as to the Ruler of the Country. If the eclipse is total and the eclipsed orbit is aspected by malefic, there would be severe shortage of food and pestilence (Any epidemic disease with a high death rate) all over the country. Eclipses have most effects in those countries where they are visible.

Cancer first decanate denotes disturbs in air and causes great changes and alterations in the weather and second decanate denotes dries up rivers and fountains and stirs up in consistency and wantonness , Prostitution increases among women. Normally the effects of eclipses are spread over long years in proportion to the duration of the eclipse.

141 districts drought-hit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said there was drought in 141 districts in the country and that people must be prepared for a further rise in the prices of essential commodities as there was a shortfall of six million hectares in the area under paddy crop this kharif owing to deficient southwest monsoon. This is the first time that the government has admitted to drought, price rise and specific shortfall in kharif sowing operations.

"In no case, should we allow citizens to go hungry." Cautioning that the reduced production of Kharif crop in the current year may have an inflationary impact on prices of food items in the coming months, Singh said the Centre and states will have to work together and activise the public distribution system (PDS).

It is feared that the shortfall in sowing may have a far-reaching implication for farm economy and overall GDP growth.

Bihar Govt declares 26 districts as drought-hit

The Bihar Government has declared 26 districts in the state as drought-hit. The districts declared drought-hit include Siwan, Bhojpur, Gaya, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Rohtas and Tehmur.

Earlier, the Maharashtra Government had declared drought-like situation in 129 tehsils in the State.

Similarly, the Jharkhand Government had declared the entire State as drought-hit.

Twenty-seven more districts in Uttar Pradesh were also declared drought-hit. The total number of draught-hit districts in Uttar Pradesh has reached 47.

Drought threat in 161 districts: Pranab

Food production in the current fiscal is likely to go down as sowing will be 20 per cent lower due to the weak monsoon, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday.

Also, 161 districts have been declared drought-prone, he added.