more facts......n advices in superstitious india

So there was the solar eclipse on the 15th i was informed about from 2 dear colleagues at the office here in new delhi...

went to get a cup of tea and....these 2 gentlemen asked me with excitment in their voices IF IF IF WE IN SWEDEN have any kind of rules now for the whole solar eclipse thing???
i have problems understanding them at first when they gladly explain that in india....INCREDIBLE INDIA..There are several restrictions on what u are allowed to do, what to avoid and what is dangerous etc... (!)

So pregnant women they said should never ever go out during this eclipse....
it would hurt the child they said..
I ask why, (thinking WTF) and how...
Explanation & facts ZERO...
Just that everyone knows this and that during this eclipse no women should be exposed to it, so they better stay at home, hidden away..
BUT WHY?! i ask again....
Well one figured for a while n then said:
It hurts the child..and yes....the child will be born with a split lip/hare-lipped
.........yes that can happen/...
I ask HOW!???
and of course NO explanation....no facts and just as usual in incredible india..no SENSE....

I say i have probelms understanding this in full and i cant believe its true..without scientific facts i simply cant...

And he goes on telling me that there are soooooo many facts...soooo many... its true...

i leave the 2 colleagues with this new info & cannot do other than smile...

TII (mf)