Yesterday there was a solar eclipse in parts of the world. This includes some of India and the surrounding areas.

Below are some of the reports that came out in newspapers and television the day of the eclipse.

• In India, a national paper said, pregnant women shouldn't go outside during the eclipse to avoid having a baby that is blind or having a cleft lip.
  
  
• In Togo, Western Africa, Minister for Health said on state TV that people should keep their kids inside.
  
  
• The Hindustan Times said, If you have cooked any food before the eclipse you cannot eat it afterwards, because it will be impure.
  
  
• If you are holding and ax or a knife during the eclipse, you will cut yourself.

These superstitions are no different than the origins of faith in god.