Telangana to support fish 'prasadam'

Telangana has decided to extend all support to the Bathini Goud family for administering the fish "prasadam" (medicine) for asthma patients here June 8-9.

The family will start administering the fish 'prasadam' at 5.30 p.m. on June 8 at the sprawling Exhibition Grounds in Nampally in the heart of the city. The event will continue for 24 hours.

Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma Wednesday directed various departments to make necessary arrangements for smooth conduct of the event.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Road Transport Corporation (RTC), fisheries, police and water board will make the arrangements for the convenience of patients who come from different parts of the country.

The first government of Telangana decided to support the event despite the direction of the Lok Ayukta to the government of undivided Andhra Pradesh last year not to sponsor or support the event as there is no scientific proof that the substance cures asthma.

While observing that it is only a superstition, the ombudsman said Goud can continue practising it as there is no law restraining such practices.

Thousands of people every year take the "wonder drug" administered on the occasion of "Mrigasira Karthi", which heralds the onset of monsoon.

It is believed that if taken for three consecutive years, it cures asthma.

The family claims to be distributing the fish medicine free of cost for over 160 years. It renamed the drug as "prasadam" a few years ago following controversies after some groups approached courts, seeking a ban on what was termed an "unscientific" practice.