We were given several very interesting insights by our readers into what to play around with in our contents list. Subsequently, there has been a big debate on in VOICE about what constitutes consumer issues. According to one view: almost any and everything. According to another, some issues are best kept outside of the purview of consumer concerns. Our member subscribers had given us a list of the topics in the survey that they would like to see included in Consumer VOICE. Astrology, movies, sports, all figured in their list.

We carried one column on astrology and one on movies. While the movie page received some endorsement, the astrology page was vehemently shot down. The opinions amongst us varied. Some suggested that instead of exploring these issues for consumer dimensions, we stick to predictions in astrology and "what to view" in movies. Now there is an overflow of this kind of information in almost all dailies, weeklies and what have you. Also these issues have a high degree of immediacy built into them. Everyone wants to know what the planets fortell for the day or the week and what movies are running where and are worth watching during the week. Why give this kind of ephemeral information in a bi-

monthly and in what is perceived by our readers as an "information guide". However, we discovered that each of these issues has a complex and far-reaching interest for consumers. The economic flip side of the movie, business with its spiraling service costs and dipping quality, the advertising overload, the black money and the underworld connections, recently, the social and gender issues involving mega stars, all figured prominently on the front pages of almost all media channels. Most focused on the 'newsy' or sensational element and none explored the impact of any of this on consumers. Similarly, astrology has two kinds of treatment meted out to it. One is the totally surface, inane and ridiculous side and the other highly technical with its own esoteric jargon, which is confined to astrology journals, for astrologers. We wanted to occupy middle ground and explore this ancient and "scientific" knowledge system for its contemporary implications for markets, manufacturers and consumers.

Our knowledge systems provide multi-purpose services for the average Indian. Birth, marriage, death, health, disease patterns, profit, loss and almost the entire spectrum of the daily business of life can be endorsed, supported or explicated with the help of not only astrology but also ayurveda, vaastu, yoga, organic farming systems, vegetarianism, herbal remedies to name a few of the time tested 'good paractices'. An astrologer is a friend, guide, counselor, confidant and guru,"all rolled into one. A knowledgeable and experienced astrologer can support one through the difficult patches of life with explanations for the apparently irrational. Astrology provides counseling and hope in desperate moments, averting many a precipitous crisis, snatching one back from the very edge of black despair. It decodes genetic patterns of the possible onset of diseases and infertility. It is also known to match horoscopes for successful matrimonial alliances, and who knows how much the Indian family strongholds owe to astrology.