HYDERABAD: Administering of the miracle ‘Fish Prasadam’ (also known as fish medicine) got underway on Sunday evening at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally amidst tight security.
The prasadam, said to cure asthma and other respiratory disorders, is administered to the patients free of cost by the Bathini family. The administering will continue till 5.22 pm on Monday, Bathini Harinath Goud said.
Before the commencement of the prasadam, a puja was performed by the bathini brothers at their ancestral home in Doodhbowli in the Old City area. Hyderabad district collector Mukesh Kumar Meena also participated in the event.
Despite negative campaigning by certain oragnisations, large number of people turned up from across the country for the medicine at Mrigasira Karthi, which heralds the onset of monsoon in the State.
On this day, Bathini brothers insert the yellow herbal medicine into the mouth of a live fingerling (fish). The live fish is then slipped into the mouth of the patient.
According to the sale of fingerlings by the fisheries department, as many as 9,000 asthma patients were administered the medicine.
Hundreds of families from places like Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chattishgarh and other places arrived at the camp.
For vegetarians, a separate medicine prepared with jaggery is being given. Vegetarians need to take the medicine for a longer period. The medicine is administered thrice, in a period of 45 days (June 23, July 7 and July 21) and patients are supposed to follow a strict diet prescribed by the Bathini brothers.
Harinath Goud informed that the medicine will also be distributed at their residence at Doodhbowli and Kavadiguda for those who have missed out on the opportunity on Sunday or Monday.
The Roads and Buildings department has set up separate counters for men, women and physically challenged persons. The HMWS&SB is supplying water sachets to the people at the venue free of cost and water tankers are also being pressed into service as per requirement, HMWS&SB director (technical), Rameshwar Rao said. Medical and Health department officials have opened medical camps and ambulances have been put at stand by. APSRTC is running special buses from major locations in Hyderabad and Secunderabad like railway stations and major bus depots like Jubilee Bus Station and MGBS bus station at Afzalgunj.
Police made adequate police bandobust for hassle-free administration. For security reasons, CCTV cameras have been installed at vantage points. For uninterrupted power supply at the venue, CPDCL has taken precautions to see power is supplied continuously on Sunday and Monday.
Fact Check
Medicine given on Mrigasira Darsi
Yellow medicine insert into the mouth of fingerling
Live fingerling dropped into patient’s mouth
Medicine made with jaggery for vegetarians
To be taken more times for vegetarians
Strict diet to be followed during course