DU students to have a date with lady luck!

Niharika Narang & Akansha Katyal

NEW DELHI: For students who count their stars before writing exams, here is an opening. Delhi University is now offering lessons in astrology and vastushastra for those pursuing Sanskrit discipline courses in BA.

"From the academic year 2007-08, students studying Sanskrit will have to study a paper on astrology in the third year," said Prof Devendra Mishra of Department of Sanskrit.

The paper is compulsory and even atheists have to go through the grind. Already the subject is being taught in MA as an optional paper. However, this is the first time it has been introduced at the under-graduate level. About 30 universities, including state universities, offer courses in astrology in India. The hundred-mark paper has been divided into three parts — Vastushastra, Jyotish and Ayurveda.

While the Left-oriented members of the Academic Council in DU have strongly protested against the move, calling it a not-so-progressive syllabus, the Sanskrit Department says it is part of the ancient language.

However, some differ on the feasibility of introducing such courses. "This subject will promote superstition which is unacceptable at a stage when India is making steady progress in science and technology," said Sanal Edamaruku, president of Indian Rationalist Association.