OPPORTUNITY FOR FORECASTERS WITH SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES
As the Vidhan Sabha elections for Karnataka approach in May 2008, we do get a number of forecasts of results. Some may base their findings on surveys and exit polls. But there are many who make forecasts based on claims to supernatural powers, extrasensory perception, study of planetary configurations, etc. We have provided an opportunity for those who have supernatural powers to showcase their talents and also win a sum of Rs. 200,000 (rupees two hundred thousand) by providing right answers (within specified limits) for 90% of the following queries. The terms and conditions are as below:
1. Party Seat Projections
The exact number of seats that each of the following parties will obtain ±5% (range is not acceptable):
- a. Indian National Congress
- b. Bharatiya Janata Party
- c. Janata Dal (Secular)
- d. Bahujan Samaj Party
- e. Janata Dal (United)
- f. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- g. Others (specify party and number)
2. Chief Minister Projection
The name and party of the person who will become the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. (Only one name; more than one is not acceptable.)
3. Candidate Vote Counts
The number of votes that the following candidates will poll (can be rounded off to the nearest hundred, but range not acceptable):
Other Terms and Conditions
- All entries must be sent by post or courier. Entries through email, SMS, or telephone are not valid.
- Only entries received before the date for counting will be accepted.
- Each entry shall have the name and address of the person sending the same, and the system by which the predictions have been made should be clearly mentioned.
- One person shall be eligible for one entry only.
- The results will be published and handouts given to all newspapers. The organizer shall not bear any responsibility for getting the results published.
- In case the right answers do not conform to the conditions set down, the prize money shall remain with the organizer.
- All rights for awarding the prize shall remain with the organizer, and in case more than one correct entry is received, up to 5 prizes of Rs. 200,000 each will be awarded. If all correct entries beyond this number are received, the sum of Rs. 1,000,000 (rupees one million) shall be equally divided among the winners.
- The organizer shall not have any liability for entries not received, lost in post, delayed, or in any manner not communicated.
- In the case of any dispute, the jurisdiction shall be with the courts at Mangalore city only.
- No liability is accepted for refund of any expenses incurred for collection of data/casting horoscopes or any other activity for the predictions going to be made.
Narendra Nayak
President
Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations
13-9-1220/2, Vithoba Temple Road, Mangalore–575 001
Karnataka is in the thick of state assembly elections, and no one is daring to predict the outcome. It is during such uncertain times that fortune tellers thrive. Politicians of all political persuasions have already approached astrologers and tantrics seeking their advice. Once the votes are counted and the results declared, these diviners will come forward publicly, claiming they had predicted the precise outcome all along. Isn’t it always a safe bet to “predict” an event after it has already happened?
It is in this context that Narendra Nayak, President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, has made a public challenge. In Mangalore, Prof. Nayak issued a press release offering Rs.200,000 to any diviner who can accurately forecast the outcome. Let us hope the proponents of “scientific” astrology accept the challenge and claim the prize!
— CHARVAKA DESK
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