Unidentified flying objects are being reported over South India

Those politicians who darkly hint at a foreign hand when confronted with uncomfortable situations may not be entirely off the mark. Of course, it hinges on a rather extensive definition of foreign — as in outer space. For, this week’s flutter in alien-obsessed circles about an unidentified flying object ( UFO) hovering far above south India captured by the camera of an American astronaut aboard the International Space Station on Diwali seems to substantiate the politicians’ assertions. While alien hunters are naturally pleased at this ‘proof ’ of the existence of extraterrestrials, this may prove to be an unexpected bonanza for the ‘foreign hand’ advocates as well. Even the notion that our events are being monitored, if not manipulated, would certainly add a new dimension to the unexplained whys and wherefores of many of our planetary issues.

It is strange, though, that aliens favour south India, as specialist websites record a large number of visitations by mysterious airborne vehicles in that part of the country. Nasa’s disinterest in this latest extraterrestrial sighting is not unexpected, especially as it has not been moved by the reports last month by another set of space watchers about the ‘discovery’ of a Buddha statue on Mars, which they believed to be the handiwork of devout aliens.