What Doomsday? We are still alive

What Doomsday? We are still alive

    According to an interpretation of the Mayan Calendar, there were rumours that the world would end today. Here’s an overview of the whole Doomsday drama:
WHY THE HOOPLA?
    The 5,000-year cyclical Mayan calendar that began around 3114 BC will come to a close on December 21, sparking fears that the world is due to end that day.
    Another theory suggested a galactic alignment which would create chaos on earth due to the gravitational effect.
    Another theory involved
a ‘polar shift’, which means a reversal of the north and south magnetic poles.
IN REALITY
    NASA scientists have concluded that 21st December will be nothing more than a normal December solstice. There is simply no scientific evidence to support any claims of an apocalypse on Earth on December 21, 2012. Moreover, scientists say no planetary alignment is likely to occur in the next few decades and the ‘polar shift’ theory is totally impossible.
    Experts say the end of the Mayan calendar does not imply the end of the world, only the end of the Mayan long-count period and a new beginning like the Gregorian calendar.
IT’S A MONEYSPINNER
    Quick-thinking pubs are kick-starting an early festive season by organising grand theme parties today. As if to fulfill the last wish of every partygoer, they are offering free-flowing liquor, techno music and food.
    The doomsday phenomenon came as a boon for astrologers as they are doing brisk business, thanks to worried believers in the theory. With astrologers and numerologists reporting a nearly 20% jump in business in the past few weeks owing to an increasing number of people asking them about what is in store for them on December 21.
    Meanwhile, the curious
and faint-hearted are checking out emergency kits, portable toilets, windpowered battery chargers and even an inflatable Noah’s Ark on a certain website. Should they wish to transport their pets to heaven, there is freezedried pet food, artificial grass, UV protection eyewear and a superhero costume to go with it.
WORLD MEDITATES TODAY Millions are looking at the end of the Mayan calendar at 11.11 am (GMT) as a new beginning. More than 21 million people across the globe have pledged to meditate for this cause between 5 and 6 pm (Indian Standard Time). In another initiative started in the US — the One Billion Oms Meditation effort, people to chant Om for three minutes at 12 noon tomorrow.