New Delhi: Renowned astrologer Bejan Daruwalla passed away Friday at the age of 88. Daruwalla had reportedly been seeking treatment for pneumonia and brain hypoxia (brain not getting enough oxygen) for the past few days at a hospital in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar.
Some media reports suggested he had tested positive for coronavirus, and he was named in a list of Covid-19 patients announced by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. However, his family denied the claim.
Daruwalla was one of India’s most famous astrologers and his predictions won him millions of followers. He was a practising Zoroastrian and a Ganesha devotee. The astrologer was known for his columns in leading newspapers that went under the title ‘Ganesha Speaks’. He also released annual sun sign predictions every new year.
His death was condoled on Twitter by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, among others.
Saddened by the demise of renowned Astrologer Shri Bejan Daruwalla. I pray for the departed soul. My condolences. Om Shanti…
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) May 29, 2020
After his death, Daruwalla’s son Nastur Daruwalla was quoted in The Times of India describing the astrologer as “a fighter”. “He fought bravely till his last breath. He predicted that coronavirus will soon go away. India, despite its poverty and joblessness, will rise like a phoenix. Next year will be the best year for India and the country will soon emerge as a superpower.”
Also Read: Why online astrologers are secretly thanking their stars, Covid, and science-averse Indians
‘The man who predicted PM Modi’s victory’
Born in July 1931, Daruwalla taught English literature at HA Arts and Commerce College in Ahmedabad before he decided to move to Mumbai.
He combined several astrological techniques such as Vedic astrology, numerology, palmistry, tarot etc to emerge as a leading practitioner of his craft. His website, ‘Ganeshaspeaks’, is believed to be one of the most viewed sites in the field of astrology.
Among some of Daruwalla’s most famous predictions was the ascension as Prime Minister of Narendra Modi, Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He had also reportedly predicted the assassination of Former PM Rajiv Gandhi, the aviation accident that killed Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
In the second week of April 2020, Daruwalla posted a video online where he spoke of the challenges the world will face in light of the coronavirus pandemic. “After 21 May, this disease is expected to go away with Lord Ganesha’s blessing,” he had said.
On his personal website, Daruwalla has been quoted as saying, “Please do not doubt my integrity, and please be sure that I keep an open mind, laugh and cry very easily, and have a heart big enough to embrace the whole world, though I am short and bald and fat and old.”
Also Read: Firm believer in astrology? But here’s why your zodiac is probably wrong