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Adding to chaos on the road
Obstructing traffic
HOW DO you define a superstitious belief? An idea or theory that cannot be tested by a scientific method.
Many rationalist organisations have put in enormous effort to fight superstition. In that pursuit, they had to face opposition from religious and other groups, which take offence at the rationalist's reluctance to distinguish belief from superstition.
Is there really any difference between the two? The answer differs from individual to individual. When you take into consideration the scientific framework, there is hardly any fundamental difference.
Superstition-baiters should take a more practical approach to realise their goals.
In the busy commercial streets of the city you will find huge pumpkins broken to pieces and scattered on the road, some smeared with kumkum.
This is a common sight, especially on Friday evenings, more in front of shops. Besides pumpkins, broken coconuts, lemon and red chillies tied together are also seen on the streets.
This is based on the religious belief that these have the capacity to combat the "evil eye" and bring prosperity to the trade.
But these seem to pose a threat to motorists, cyclists and autorickshaws. "There are quite a few instances where motorists have fallen a prey to pumpkins which are unceremoniously thrown on the roads without even having the slightest consideration for commuters," says S.S. Ramakrishnan, a consumer activist.
"We have represented the problem to the Traffic Advisory Committee and also at the District Collector's meeting that is held here periodically. Traffic police and the warden should ensure that they aren't broken on roads and do not pose a risk to vehicle-users," he says.
"Pumpkin is believed to top the list when it comes to things that are used to eliminate evil eye. Pumpkins are broken on the road so that passers-by look at them thereby removing evil eyes," says Ramanandha Gurukal.
"But these need not be done necessarily on the centre of the road. After breaking them they can be brought to the sides so that they do not cause any hindrance to road users," he remarked.
By Vidyashree Dharmaraj
in Coimbatore
Photo:K.Ananthan
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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