Thousands of asthma patients swallow

In Hyderabad: Thousands of asthma patients across the country, hoping to heal, took the fish prasadam, which is divided into a family here for over 160 years. Despite the controversy over who was hit by the popularity of the ; wonder drug ; in recent years, people continue to flock to the site hoping to find some relief from their nagging respiratory problems.

A member of the Goud family administers live sardines smeared
with secret herbs, believed to be a cure for asthma, to a patient in Hyderabad. (AP)

 Since Wednesday evening, about 20,000 people gathered here in the sprawling exhibition center has taken a "prasadam" is divided into Baithini Goud family in the city center. Hundreds more lined up Thursday morning.


They gulped down a live 'murrel' fish with a yellow herbal paste in its mouth, which is believed to provide the much-needed relief, if taken for three consecutive years. For vegetarians, the family gives the medicine with jaggery.

The turnout, however, was not in lakhs as claimed by the family, which changed the name of the fish medicine to 'fish prasadam' four years ago to avoid legal problems.

The free distribution of 'prasadam' began at 10.30 p.m. Wednesday at 32 counters after the Goud family performed 'puja' at their ancestral house in Doodhbowli in the old city.

Family head Bathini Harinath Goud said the counters would remain open till 10 p.m. Thursday or till the last patient gets 'prasadam'.

Men, women and children lined up for taking the medicine several hours before the counters opened.

It was sheer faith which brought many to the venue. "This is the third time I have come here as I got some relief earlier," said Bhumiya Naik, who came from Latur, Maharashtra.

There were many first-timers like Ajmal Khan from Bidar, Karnataka. He heard about the medicine from his friends. "I have been suffering from asthma for the last seven years. I have tried everything but nothing worked. Now I want to try this," he said.

A member of the Goud family administers live sardines,
 believed to be a cure for asthma, to a patient in Hyderabad. (AP)

Department of Fisheries has sent 40 000  Murrell fish for an annual event held every year since day one, "Mrigasira Kart," which anticipates the monsoon begins. More than 600 policemen have been placed as part of a place of safety. different units to provide water, sanitation and other basic services to patients. The associations also cut through the sharing of free food and water packets. 

This is the direction of Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission, the Hyderabad district administration was to ensure that no child is forced because of the fish medicine. Rights panel had already issued an order this week to petition the organization of children;s rights BALALA Hakkula Sangha. State which has forced the fish to give the drug was in conflict with the rights of children. It also argued that the distribution of the unsanitary medical conditions can cause more harm than good.

Fish medicine lost popularity in recent years after some working groups to inculcate the scientific spirit among people, which he described as a fraud. He also spoke of a lower court, saying that since the herbal paste containing heavy metals can cause serious health problems. 

But the Goud family claims that the laboratory tests conducted under court orders revealed that the herbal paste is safe. The Goud family has been the distribution of ;fish prasadam ;free of 165 years. She argues that the secret formula for the herbal medicine was given to his ancestors in 1845 by a saint after swearing him to be given multiple Free.