For quite some time, the psychology of the Keralites has undergone a sea change. High voltage tension is common. This can be attributed to the unlimited greed and unhealthy competitions. No doubt, ambition is essential in life. But ambition should be realistic. Being enslaved by unattainable ambition, people quite often become dejected.

Role of TV channels and mass media

In the former days, no astrologer gave advertisement through media. Entry of channels has completely changed the scenario. Nowadays, multi-crore advertisements are given through media. Such advertisements can negatively affect the psyche of the public. Genuine astrologers do not resort advertisements even now.

People are out of touch with reality

It is not the genuine astrologers, but the charlatans who are ruling the area of astrology nowadays. TV channels project them very often. Channels get money from the fake astrologers.

Anybody can become an astrologer

For any work-skilled or unskilled, at least some basic knowledge and experience is necessary. But anybody can become an astrologer in Kerala at any time. I know lottery agents, weavers and tailors who have become "successful" astrologers! Successful means successful in amassing wealth.

Fertile ground

A society which lost mental peace is a fertile ground for the charlatans’ astrologers to make quick money. Apart from the consulting fee, such unethical astrologers exploit the ignorant clients by asking them to do certain pujas. It is called remedial measures. Remedial measures are costly. I once saw a young man last year. He was then an insurance agent. He frankly confessed to me that he had wasted more than one lakh rupees by consulting various astrologers in Kerala.

Educated fools

Strangely enough, it is the educated people who quite often are cheated by Charlatans. The reason is that one’s sense and thinking faculty are clouded when overwhelmed by unlimited greed and frustration.

Astrologer predicted the colour of the underwear

It is a real life story that occurred in Kannur district some years back. A fake astrologer was very expert in cheating young women clients. He used to predict every time that colour of the underwear worn by the lady clients was red!  One day it clicked. The young lady sitting in front of the fake astrologer was totally surprised. She got fully satisfied by the “divine power" of the astrologer.

Subsequently she visited the astrologer for consulting almost on all and sundry matters. The astrologer exploited the foolish lady both sexually and financially. It was only after a long time when she could understand the true colour of the astrologer. She had filed a complaint against the astrologer. Such and similar cases are aplenty in Kerala.

A stringent law to punish the charlatans should be framed. Also, there should be law to restrain the media and channels accepting deceitful advertisements.