Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SHP)
Mangaluru, Jun 21: Aid Without Religion Trust along with Dakshina Kannada Rationalists' Association celebrated the solar eclipse which was visible across the country in various degrees on Sunday, June 21. The impact of the eclipse across the coastal region was felt from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. With social distancing in place, people gathered to observe the phenomenon at the Mangalore City Corporation swimming pool.
"While others look upon the eclipse as a catastrophe and disaster waiting to strike, we rationalists look upon it as a natural occurrence to be viewed and enjoyed," said president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Narendra Nayak.
"Every time an eclipse comes around we make it a point to enjoy the same and also break the taboos associated with it. While Mangaluru streets are empty with people staying indoors with even temples being closed, we always manage to expose ourselves to the sun as much as possible, particularly during eclipses," he said.
"During the annular eclipse of December 2019, we had even exposed ourselves to the sun in the swimming pool to show that nothing will happen. Each one of us who did expose that time is hale and hearty. That itself goes a long way to break the taboo around the eclipse. This time too we wanted to recreate the celebration we conducted during the 2019 eclipse, however, due to restrictions amid the pandemic it was impossible. Therefore, a few families decided to conduct the event in a discreet manner while adhering to social distancing. We gathered in front of the swimming pool at around 10 am. Though the physical distancing norms were to be maintained the same is not applicable to members of the same family, " he added.
Dr Krishnappa Konchady with his wife Sunanda, the Prabhus-Narahari and Sushma with their children Kartik and Sonali, Pushparaj Boloor with his son Gaurav, a Class 6 student. Arun, Vivek and Mayoor from the Article 51 Ah club, Shyama Sundar Rao, Hariyappa Pejawar from the Aid Without Religion Trust and the managing trustee Narendra Nayak along with his spouse Asha were present.
Although the weather caused issues, all those who were gathered managed to have a glimpse of the eclipsed sun, with the help of specialised glasses.
"We also made a point to consume food under the eclipsed sun, something we have been doing for decades to dispel the superstition around eating during an eclipse which is said to cause all sorts of diseases," Nayak said.