Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Vijay Shah announced a one-year diploma course in astrology and priesthood, which he insisted influences climate change and social events, The Indian Express reported.
The Jyotish (astrology) , Vaastu and Purohityam (priesthood) courses will be held at the Yoga Centre run by Maharsi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan in Bhopal. Shah was the ex-chairman of the centre before becoming the state education minister.
The courses are scheduled to begin from 15 December and will be conducted in Hindi. Students of any background irrespective of caste, age and gender can admit themselves to the course after having paid a fee of Rs 20,000. As per The Indian Express, only 15 candidates have applied for the course on astrology.
Shah said that these subjects need the government’s attention since they are a part of ancient Indian culture.
(With inputs from The Indian Express)
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