It's not a joke: Thousands of Indians force-fed Live Fish, to cure asthma.

http://youtu.be/D6xMrqDP5to/
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Why People In Hyderabad Are Lining Up To Swallow Raw Fish
Mehar Kukreja

Today, 13 hours ago

With thousands of people expected at the fish prasadam distribution venue in Hyderabad, the city police have issued an appeal for people to remain calm in order to avoid a stampede.

The Bathini brothers, who claim that the fish prasadam can cure respiratory illnesses, are distributing it in the exhibition grounds for 24 hours starting 8:30 am on Wednesday. The prasadam involves swallowing a small live fish.

However, NGOs say the ‘”cure’” is of unknown provenance and unhygienic as the people thrust their fingers into thousands of throats without a proper hygienic procedure. There is no scientific evidence that a squirming fish down the esophagus clears up asthmatic lungs.

Still, the brothers claim that there is a scientific precedence for their treatment and thousands of people continue to flock to Hyderabad every year.

In a media release, the police requested the people from regions of Hyderabad and Telangana to arrive at the venue after 2 pm on Wednesday to “avoid stampede-like conditions.”

Police also said that after 8:30 am on Thursday, the Bathini brothers would continue to dispense the prasadam at their house in Doodhbowli area of the city.


People lined up to eat the raw fish at Hyderabad
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" There is no need to panic and get excited, prasadam will be distributed till the last person arrived at exhibition grounds. People are requested to avoid morning time for taking Fish Prasadam to avoid congestion and stampede and to cooperate with police."
------ The Police

Last year, 56,000 people took the prasadam.



Swallow Live Fish to Cure Asthma? (June,16, 2010)
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/swallow-live-fish-to-cure-asthma.html/

Wow live fish. I wonder if it really works..

Fried catfish > small live fish.....