Fish market crowd beats lockdown norms

People jostling for space and ignoring physical distancing norms appeared to be the norm on Sunday as crowds descended on fish markets on the occasion of Mrigisira Karthe, a day when consuming fish is believed by many to provide health benefits.

Mrigasira Karthe is spread over Sunday and Monday this year. The Bathini Goud event of handing out fish prasadam against asthma was cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Dr V.L.N. Prasad, former additional director of AYUSH, told Deccan

Chronicle that ayurveda explains that diet patterns differ as per seasonal variations and, fish in general, “provide energy, boost immunity and promote sperm count.” Fish raised in ponds are particularly beneficial but ayurveda provides no link between fish consumption and Mrigisira Karthe he said.

V. Srinivas. general manager, fisheries department, said to meet the Mrigasira Karthe demand, 500 tonnes of fish were sent to the markets in Hyderabad and

300 tonnes to the rest of the state. “Compared to last year, there is a 20 to

30 per cent drop in sales,” he said.

Overall, there has been a 50 per cent drop in fish consumption since the

Covid-19 outbreak in Hyderabad, but the rural markets are doing well.

Vamshi Ganta, wholesale dealer at the Musheerabad fish market, said, “After many years, this occasion falls on Sunday, which means good sales, whereas this time it’s just an average sale.”

Srinivas, a retailer at the Musheerabad fish market, explained that rohu fish was sold between `130 and `150 and murrel at about `600.

THERE HAS been a 50 per cent drop in fish consumption since the Covid19 outbreak .