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May 17, 2017 News
His identification card from India says he is just 22. Yet his speech and confidence make him appear much, much older. He has the ability to put anyone at ease with his ready smile and appears right at home.
Anand Kumar is one of several Indian “astrologers” operating in Demerara and he is guaranteeing 100 percent results for his work.
For several months now, television ads have been extolling the possibilities of solving serious issues from health and business problems, family and money matters, husband and wife challenges and even overcoming an “enemy” problem.
It is estimated that the pandits are raking in millions monthly from the believers, who travel from all over the country, including Linden and the Essequibo Coast to even persons coming here from overseas.
The Indian nationals have set up operations at Parika, East Bank Essequibo; Grove, East Bank Demerara; Fourth Street, Alberttown, and Craig Street, Campbellville.
The presence of the “astrologers” has been attracting attention.
In 2010, undercover work by this newspaper exposed one astrologer who was part of a group that took millions from unsuspecting persons, promising them to solve their problems.
One day after being confronted, the man fled his David Street, Kitty apartment, with his “pandit” clothes, complete with beads and turban, later found abandoned in a hotel. They had taken an estimated $20M with them. The victims were too ashamed to talk about it.
On Monday, Kaieteur News paid a visit to one of the locations – at Alberttown.
Neighbours pointed the two undercover reporters to a back house a stone’s throw away from the Alberttown Police Station. There was no evidence of a signboard anywhere.
Coming out of the lower apartment building was an Indian couple who said that the “pandit” will be ready shortly. There were three chairs and the grill door was padlocked. On the door was a religious photo. The entrance to the apartment had pieces of lime with some coloured powder.
Inside, there were voices with a man offering to pay the balance of money shortly. There were discussions about $40,000 and $60,000.
After waiting for almost an hour, an apologetic Indian national, dressed in a blue traditional top and orange-colored lungi, was seen at the door. Coming from the apartment was an Afro-Guyanese. He had a “tika” (red dot) on his forehead and looked pleased.
Inside, the “pandit” asked the “husband and wife” to sit.
JESUS CHRIST
He sat behind a table that had an altar with flowers. The back wall was adorned with photos of Hindu Gods and even of one depicting Jesus Christ.
He asked the reporters to write their names and date of birth and gave them some shiny shells to hold and pray. He asked about their work. The “husband” works in an accounting firm while his spouse was attached to an advertising company.
For the man, it was the right hand. The “wife” was asked to use her left to pray with the shells.
The “pandit” made it clear that the reporter was a good man, from what he can “see”.
He believed that the reason that the couple was not getting any children was because a female who had been spurned, had made “some bad prayers”.
But there were some good news. The husband is a lucky man.
The pandit made it clear that he could make it all go away, and that he is “100 percent sure to fix it”.
“The personwho make bad thing for you…you played with their emotions. When I do some prayers, whatever problem you have…I can solve.”
The “pandit”, assuring that the problem is not insurmountable, advised the couple that the process will involve five days of “special” prayers.
“You do the things, I do what I have to do. I will get some power, I will understand what kind of problem you have.”
The “pandit” requested the reporters bring two photographs. He was assured to do whatever it takes…that money was not an issue.
Of course, there was a cost for the prayer, the “pandit” said earnestly.
BIG MONEY
For one prayer, it would cost $22,000 (US$100) – for the five $110,000 (US$550).
A few minutes later, the “pandit” was given a business card of one of the reporters.
He was a cool customer. Without blinking, he said he felt something was not right.
Asked if he was willing to talk about what he was doing, the man expressed willingness. He knew Kaieteur News. The exposure may even help him to become more known in Guyana.
He willingly tendered several IDs, including one that was purportedly issued by the Election Commission of India.
It said his name was Anand Kumar, born 18th October, 1995.
He had come to Guyana and was granted a visa on arrival. He had come to see his ailing sister.
He said he was at the Alberttown location for more than a month and had two months left on his visa.It is not about money, he insists. He likes to help people.
Asked if he is registered anywhere, including at the Guyana Revenue Authority, the “pandit” said no.
He is most willing to provide any information. He could not immediately point Kaieteur News to any website or Facebook account that could help.
The “pandit” made it clear that he is not connected to the Craig Street “astrologer” but knew from television ads that other persons were operating there, at Parika and at Grove. He said that the Regent Street place had no one.
The reporters promised to keep in contact with him.
At Craig Street, the apartment downstairs was located behind a small bodywork and mechanic shop and printer. There were shoes in front of the door, but no one answered. There was no one there again yesterday.
At Grove, in “Back Street”, Times Square, the “pandit” had reportedly left since Monday night.
There was again no signboard. A sign, however, was attached to a power post at the corner.
A neighbour insisted that from what she knows, the “pandit”, who had been there a month now, is a genuine person. She knows this because of the number of visitors there. Nobody is behaving badly to get back their monies.
People from all over, including Suriname and the US would visit, she claims.
The “pandit” had replaced one that had been there for several months and who was expected to return sometime.
Further down Back Street, other neighbours were not so complimentary.
One woman, they claimed, died of heart attack when she could not cough up a $1M payment.
Lots of persons are going to the “pandit”.
“We want somebody to look into them. They are smooth. They understand how to manipulate people. The neighbours does cook for them. They are smooth. They are calling lots of money.”
Kumar said that he is not registered with any pandit council or religious organization here.
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