Thousands flock to Nampally for 170-yr-old fish prasadam tradition
This annual ritual is said to offer relief from respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis.
The event, which began at 11 am, was inaugurated by transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar. 'For 170 years, the Bathini family has been providing fish prasadam to lakhs. What began in Doodh Bowli has now evolved into a massive event,' he said.
The state's fisheries department reported over 50,000 tokens sold by 9 pm. 'We initially supplied 75,000 live murrel fish and are ready with another 75,000 if required,' said S Murali Krishna, joint director (planning).
A total of 370 staff were deployed in three shifts, managing 16 token counters and 32 prasadam distribution counters.
Organisers are expecting 4 to 5 lakh people this year—an estimated 10–15% increase over last year's turnout of 3.5 lakh. People from across India, including parents with young children, stood in long queues for hours to receive the herbal remedy.
The prasadam, offered free of cost by the Bathini Goud family, consists of a secret herbal paste filled into the mouth of a live fingerling murrel, which is then swallowed by the recipient. The offering comes in three forms: machli (fish with full yellow paste), kaarti (milder mix), and bellam (jaggery-based).
Bathini Amarnath Goud, great-grandson of the original practitioner Bathini Veeranna Goud, told TOI, 'A sage gave the herbal formula to my ancestor on the condition that it must never be sold. We have upheld that vow ever since.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Want to be a top performer? These 5 mindset shifts will help for sure
5 mindset shifts every student should make before their next exam (Image: TOI) Did you know that the real secret of top-performing students lies not just in what they know but in how they think? Academic success is frequently equated with innate intelligence or the number of hours spent studying but few know that more than memory, it is the mindset that drives performance. Researches conducted in educational psychology and neuroscience have often revealed that before you sharpen your pencils or open your books, sharpen your mindsets. Before the next exam, every student should implement these five shifts in mindset, which are supported by research. Change your mindset from "smart or not" to "I can grow" Many students approach exams with the misconception that intelligence is predetermined where either they are good at math or not but this belief is not only false; it is also harmful. According to a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, students with a growth mindset and the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, have significantly higher learning-related well-being. The researchers noted that growth mindset positively predicted students' learning subjective well-being, mediated by academic self-efficacy and positive achievement emotions. Developing some daily routines has a profound effect on the child's academic success. It is supported by the evidence and advice of the experts that there are some daily habits that can be helpful in both the learning process and the overall development. Here are some of them: In a similar vein, a study published in Behavioral Sciences in 2023 found that Chinese primary school students with a growth mindset had more grit and better mental health. What to do: Change your perspective from "I'm just not good at this" to "I have not mastered this yet." Accept mistakes as lessons learnt, not as failures. Change your mindset from passive reading to active retrieval Passive review or simply re-reading notes or textbooks, is a common but least effective study strategy. It feels like work but it rarely leads to deep learning. The practice of retrieval means actively retrieving information from memory. According to a 2011 summary of research published in Memory journal by Roediger and Butler, students who quiz themselves on a regular basis perform better than those who re-read material. This outcome was noticed despite spending less time studying overall. The term for this is the "testing effect." What to do: Make your own quizzes, use flashcards, or use apps. Write the information down from memory or teach it to a friend. You don't really know it if you can't recall it. Change your mindset from cramming to self-regulation Especially during exam season, students frequently mistake being busy for being productive, not realising that true productivity stems from self-regulated learning where students plan, monitor and reflect on their study strategies. A 2002 comprehensive review published in Contemporary Educational Psychology by Zimmerman, stated that self-regulated learners actively set goals, monitor their performance and reflect to make strategic changes. Particularly when under stress, these students are more resilient, adaptable and focused. Children are fidgety beings, and to get them to sit in one place can be quite a task. Even though it is important for children to streamline their energies into fun activities and games, it is equally important for them to learn the power of concentration. Concentration helps a child not just in studies, but also inculcates the habit of discipline, focus, and patience. If you struggle to get your child to concentrate, here are 7 tips that can help... What to do: Divide study time into segments. Establish specific objectives (such as "Finish three essay plans today") and evaluate the results. Keep track of progress and distractions. Change your mindset from avoiding feelings to managing exam anxiety Pretending that exams are not stressful doesn't help as anxiety suppression can backfire on many students. However, research indicates that prior to a test, writing about exam-related stress can improve performance. Ramirez and Beilock's 2011 study, which was published in Science , found that students performed significantly better than those who did not write about their worries for ten minutes before an exam. Those who did were able to relieve cognitive strain and free up working memory thanks to this practice. What to do: Before a big test, try journalling. Reframe your concerns after writing them down: "I'm nervous because I care but I've prepared." To reset, take a few deep, calming breaths. Change your mindset from big objectives to small successes Although "get an A+" is a nice goal, it does not tell your brain what to do right now . Breaking out of overwhelm and creating momentum is as simple as setting goals that are attainable. According to Schunk's 1990 research on goal-setting, published in the Journal of Educational Psychology , students who set clear sub-goals are more motivated and confident. Short-term, specific goals, as opposed to vague ones, are associated with higher academic performance, according to a recent meta-analysis. What to do: Try "master pH formulas" or "complete one past paper" instead of "study chemistry." Small victories boost motivation and demonstrate progress. Aim for attitude and mindset over technique and method. The days leading up to an exam can seem like a sprint but students who learn to think in stages win exams. Changing your mindset can help you turn anxiety into purpose and dread into direction. You can prepare yourself not only for exams but also for lifelong learning by embracing growth, engaging with memory controlling your learning, managing your emotions and setting clear goals. Your mentality is what gets you through the door, not your intelligence. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
10 proven activities to improve attention span, boost focus in pre-schoolers
10 activities that enhance attention span and focus in preschool-aged children In the early years, children are full of energy and curiosity. Their minds are like little butterflies, moving from one idea to another. This is natural for their age but we can help them slowly develop the ability to focus for longer periods. Building attention span is not about making a child sit still for a long time; it is about finding activities that truly engage their minds and hearts. A research from the University of Eastern Finland claimed that short bursts of physical activity could influence a child's ability to focus. The researchers asked 7- to 13-year-olds to complete a simple nine-minute workout before sitting down to cognitive tests. The results established that kids who exercised performed better on tasks that required sustained attention and working memory compared to those who stayed seated. A 2023 study published in Springer Nature examined the impact of the Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum (MBKC) on social-emotional, executive function and academic skills of pre-schoolers. Implemented across diverse classrooms, the MBKC — combining mindfulness with kindness practice — significantly boosted social-emotional behaviour, executive function and academic readiness in pre-schoolers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Parents also rated improved cognitive empathy in these children. In short, the study revealed that children in the MBKC condition were rated higher by teachers on 'social‑emotional skills, executive functioning and academic skills." Brain breaks refresh the mind and improves concentration in pre-schoolers (Image: TOI) In an interview with TOI, Dr Anita Madan, Head of Curriculum Development at EuroKids, suggested some proven activities to improve the attention span in pre-schoolers - Engage in story time adventures The first activity is story reading. When we read aloud to children with expression and joy, it captures their imagination. Asking them questions about the characters or inviting them to guess what will happen next makes them active listeners. This simple habit can gradually increase their focus. Channel the puzzle power The second activity is puzzle solving. Whether it is matching shapes or completing a simple jigsaw, puzzles encourage children to slow down, look closely, and think before they act. The sense of achievement when the puzzle is complete motivates them to stay with the task. Listen and play games The third activity is playing listening games such as Simon Says. These games are full of fun but also help children practise self-control and concentration. They learn to listen carefully to instructions and act accordingly. Make creative corners The fourth activity is arts and crafts. Activities like colouring, painting, or making a simple collage invite children to stay with one creative task for a while. Working with colours and materials keeps them absorbed and allows them to express themselves at the same time. Adopt the role of nature detectives The fifth activity is going on nature walks. A short walk in a garden or park can be turned into a game of observation. Asking children to count the number of birds they see, notice the different shapes of leaves, or look for flowers of a particular colour helps them be present and attentive. We must remember that focus grows when children are interested and emotionally connected to what they are doing. Encouragement, patience, and praise go a long way. Each child will develop at their own pace, and the best thing we can do as parents and educators is to make learning experiences joyful. When a child is truly engaged, their attention span grows naturally. Attention is the brain's ability to focus on specific information while filtering out distractions. It works through a network of brain regions, especially the prefrontal cortex, which manages decision-making and focus and the parietal lobe, which helps direct mental resources. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine play key roles in sustaining attention, while factors such as adequate sleep, nutrition and emotional security enable children to stay engaged. Playful learning naturally extends attention through engagement (Image: TOI) An fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that mindfulness practices stabilise attention and improve cognitive flexibility in pre-schoolers. Kids in pre-schools, who were exposed to mindfulness exercises, showed neural activation patterns in the brain's attention and flexibility centers consistent with improved sustained attention and cognitive shifting, which demonstrated the neurobiological impact of mindfulness. Bringing her expertise to the same, Sibi Fakih, Head Academic Research and Development at Kangaroo Kids International Preschools, recommended a list of unique activities for parents to boost focus in pre-schoolers - Treasure hunt with clues Create a simple treasure hunt with picture-based or rhyming clues. This encourages kids to pay attention, remember steps, and follow a sequence. The excitement of finding the next clue helps sustain engagement over a longer period. Try freeze-and-move games Games like 'Freeze Dance' or 'Statue' strengthen a child's ability to start and stop action based on cues. They train impulse control, a core part of attention, while keeping the experience playful. Engage in sensory sorting challenges Provide different textured objects (soft, rough, smooth) and ask children to sort them by touch alone. Engaging multiple senses helps the brain build stronger attention pathways and enhances concentration. Encourage story building circles Sit in a circle and start a story with one sentence. Each child adds a line, listening carefully to maintain the storyline. This develops active listening, memory retention, and creative thinking—all key attention skills. Practice mindful movement Introduce short, child-friendly mindfulness exercises like pretending to be a 'slow-breathing dragon' or balancing like a 'flamingo.' These activities calm the nervous system, improve self-regulation, and help children bring their focus inward. Enable an attention-friendly environment Beyond activities, an environment that supports focus is essential. Limit background distractions like TV noise, provide a comfortable and well-lit space, and build in short breaks. Praise effort and persistence rather than just results—this reinforces a growth mindset and encourages children to keep trying. Attention is not fixed; it grows with practice, consistency and patience. By weaving these simple yet powerful activities into everyday play, parents and educators can help pre-schoolers develop a stronger, more flexible attention span that will benefit them throughout their learning journey.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Lifestyle changes, doc's consultation can helf fight postpartum depression'
1 2 Prayagraj: With cases of postpartum depression (PPD), a mood disorder that affects women after childbirth is rising among new moms. Parenting coaches and experts are now providing solutions such problems. Parenting experts claim that after childbirth, child suddenly becomes the centre of attraction, and mothers feel ignored. In such situations, the new mothers experience persistent irritation, sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, which can significantly interfere with a new mother's ability to care for herself and her baby. While 'baby blues' are common and temporary, PPD symptoms are more intense and prolonged, requiring professional treatment. Parenting expert, Dr Ankita Raj, told TOI, "After delivery, a woman experiences three types of changes, including biological, environmental (when the child gets all the attention and parents feel ignored), and role transition (the process of moving from one social role to another)." She adds, "In many cases, mothers feel ignored and suffer from persistent irritation, sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion. When such situations arise, the new mothers should take care of themselves and enjoy the moments they used to enjoy earlier in their lives, like positive emotions, mindfulness, and joy, reconnect with their friends." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unfriendliest Countries in the World, Ranked BigGlobalTravel Undo She added, "Mothers should not feel pressurised or ignore themselves, and they should consult doctors or health experts, share their problems, and follow their advices." Ankita, who has written 14 books on parenting, relationships, and personality development, says that depression can be effectively managed and treated through a combination of approaches tailored to an individual's needs. This typically includes consulting a healthcare professional for guidance, which may result in medication if appropriate, as well as counselling or therapy to support changes in everyday behaviour and thinking patterns. Additionally, lifestyle modifications, social support, and other strategies can play an important role in recovery and ongoing well-being. Ankita said, "It will be better for mothers to talk to a health expert who can help them process their feelings and address underlying issues." Besides, connecting with other women who have experienced PPD can provide valuable support and understanding. Similarly, prioritising sleep, healthy eating, and regular exercise can also be beneficial. Ankita, meanwhile, said, "Mothers should also focus on their balanced diet and must ensure a better sleep pattern for their wards." She advised parents to keep their wards away from phones and TV sets for their better development. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
