Nampally: One person died during distribution of ‘fish medicine’

Hyderabad: A man died while waiting in the queue for fish prasadam in Nampally on Saturday, June 8. The tragic incident came to light when a man suddenly collapsed amid a huge crowd of people. People suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments gather to take the fish prasadam, which is believed to provide relief from such conditions. The man, who is yet to be identified, was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment. However, the police have revealed that the deceased belonged to Nizamabad district. The annual event of ‘fish prasadam’ distribution was organised by the Bathini Goud family at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally and was inaugurated by Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. A large number of patients from various parts of Telangana and other states had queued up to take the ‘fish prasadam’ from the Bathini family members on ‘Mrigasira Karthi’, which marks the onset of monsoon. Bathini Viswanatham Goud, president of Bathini Mrigasira Trust, said all arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the distribution which will continue for 24 hours. The Bathini Goud family claims to have been distributing fish medicine free of cost for the past 178 years. The secret formula of the herbal medicine was given to their ancestor in 1845 by a saint after taking an oath that it would be given free of cost. The yellow coloured herbal paste prepared by the family is placed in the mouth of live ‘mural’ fingerlings, which is then passed through the throat of the patient. It is believed to provide much-needed relief if taken for three consecutive years. The family gives the medicine with jaggery to vegetarians. Ponnam Prabhakar said the ‘fish prasadam’ is linked to people’s faith and every year many people from different parts of India and even abroad come to consume it. He said the Bathini family has been organising the event for over 150 years. The government makes all arrangements so that people do not face any inconvenience. Khairatabad MLA D. Nagendra and Greater Hyderabad Mayor Vijayalakshmi Gadwal were also present. Various government departments make arrangements every year for the smooth conduct of the event. Asthma patients from various parts of Telugu states and other states of the country take ‘fish prasadam’ every year in June in the hope of getting relief from respiratory problems. This will be the first event after the demise of Bathini family head Harinath Goud. He died in June last year at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. He was the last of the fourth generation Gouds to distribute free fish medicine to asthma patients across the country. Asthma patients from various parts of the country come to Hyderabad every year to take fish medicine. However, the medicine has lost its popularity during the last 15 years due to controversies over the ingredients of the herbal paste. Some groups working to inculcate scientific thinking among people have termed the fish medicine as a fraud. They also approached the court claiming that since the herbal paste contains heavy metals, it can cause serious health problems. However, the Goud family claims that tests conducted in laboratories as ordered by the court showed that the herbal paste is safe. After the challenge from the rationalists, the Goud family started calling it ‘fish prasadam’.