live blogging ndtv's coverage of the solar eclipse.

pallava bagla, not known for being the most enthusiastic guest has been invited by ndtv to cover the solar eclipse along with vishnu som the host, who is comically excited.

host: this is a once in a lifetime experience. can you explain to us what is happening to the sun.

bagla: see it's not a big deal. it is just that the moon is coming between the earth and the sun. see slowly slowly it is coming.

excited host: guwahati is seeing the eclipse first. we were not expecting this. why is this happening?

bagla: it is very simple. it is because there is cloud cover in other places. if you had a clear sky you would have seen it. see if u ask me i would rather see rainfall than a solar eclipse. we need some rain.

host: what advice would you give people today? what should they do? what should they not do?

bagla: it is just a normal day. do what you always do. i say go for your morning walk. take your dog out for a walk. take your children. just do not look at the sun directly. if you have to look use these special glasses.

shows us his special glasses. explains in detail the dangers of not using such glasses. asks the audience to make sure there are no scratches on the glasses.

host: can you use regular sun glasses?

frustrated bagla: NO you cannot! neither should you look at a reflection of the eclipse in the water. or in coloured water. watch it on tv if you really have to.

excited host: beautiful images we are seeing.....

bagla sighing deeply: what you are seeing right now is not a solar eclipse. it is just a cloud coming in front of the sun and the moon.

unperturbed host: right... NOW you can see...

bagla: NO it is still just the morning sun. it is your camera filters that are giving that hue.

a few moments of awkward silence.

host: the sun looks like the moon right now. ha ha.

bagla rolls his eyes.

host: alright. let's go to tanima right now who is with a group of people gathered to witness the solar eclipse. tanima i haven't the foggiest idea where you are right now. ha ha. can you see anything?

tanima complains about fog cover where she is.

host: is it true there will be an eclipse next year also?

bagla: yes! that is what i have been saying. every 18 months there is a solar eclipse somewhere in the world. this time it is happening in our backyard. that's all.

host: wow! these are new images we are seeing. explain to us bagla what has just happened.

bagla: the sun has been eclipsed by the moon. this is darkness at dawn.

they show us a blank screen for a couple of minutes.

host: wow. look a diamond ring!

bagla: yes. it is not the sharpest image but it is a diamond ring.

host: this is the celestial spectacle of the century!

host: we have some new images from china where it looks like the eclipse is just starting.

bagla: it is in fact just ending.

host: fantastic images. stunning.

bagla: i wish i could have seen it myself, outside the studio. i brought my glasses.

host: ha ha. we wont let you get away so easily.

pic - http://www.toothpastefordinner.com