'Fish prasadam' distribution ends

* Low turnout registered * No untoward incident reported in the two-day programme

Hyderabad : The two-day 'fish prasadam' distribution programme at Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, here where thousands of people from the State and across the country were administered the controversial medicine for asthma ended on Sunday evening. Bathini Goud brothers and their family members administered fish prasadam to asthma patients and announced closing of the prasadam distribution. People from all walks of life reached the venue in the morning and stood in the long queue to have the prasadam. No untoward incidents were reported during the two-day programme.

The organisers said that Bathini family would distribute the fish medicine at their residence in Dudhbowli for the next two days. Those who wished to consume the medicine could directly go to their residence. In all, the medicine was administered to over 50,000 people, said Bathini brothers and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by GHMC, Water Board, Police and Fisheries Department which made arrangements for supply of one lakh murrel fingerlings for the annual event.

Earlier, the turnout was in lakhs, but during the last three years there is reduction in the number of visitors as claimed by the family which changed the name of the fish medicine to 'fish prasadam' a few years ago to avoid legal problems. A total number of 32 stalls, including a few separate stalls that were set-up for VIPs, women, physically handicapped and aged, for providing the fish medicine. It may be recalled that in 2012 the event held in Shivarampally, invited the wrath from various quarters for its failure to supply adequate fish medicine to those who turned up.