Annual Fish Prasadam Distribution Begins

The annual fish prasadam distribution began today at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inaugurated the distribution of the prasadam. On the occasion, the Bathini Goud family administered the fish prasadam to Prabhakar.

TPCC President and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud, along with his family members, also received the medicine.

Rajya Sabha Member Anil Kumar Yadav, Fisheries Corporation Chairman Mettu Sai Kumar, Congress senior leader Madhu Yashki Goud and Karnataka MLC Manjunath were also present at the inaugural event.

On the occasion, Prabhakar said that for the past 170 years the Bathini family had been distributing the fish medicine to those suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and that people from across the country were coming to Hyderabad in the belief that it cured asthma-related problems. He said that the State government had made elaborate arrangements for the visitors this year, too, with around 140 RTC buses specially allocated, traffic restrictions put in place near Nampally, and barricades, water and power supply, medical camps, ambulances and fire department services set up at the venue.

The Telangana Fisheries Department had prepared over 1.5 lakh murrel fish for the distribution, he added.

The 24-hour fish prasadam distribution program will continue until 10 am on Monday.

However, a tragedy struck during the distribution of the prasadam. An elderly man standing in the queue for it suddenly collapsed and died. Officials said he had suffered a heart attack. The victim was identified as Satyanarayana (77), a resident of Medak district.