The Hindu : `Aravana not contaminated'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

`Aravana not contaminated'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DEC. 11. The laboratory analysis of the "aravana prasadam" from Sabarimala reportedly consumed by those hospitalised with symptoms of food poisoning from Navaikkulam in adjoining Kollam district on December 6 had been found not to be contaminated.

Disclosing this at a press conference here today, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, N. Babu, and the members, D. Sasidharan and Charupara Ravi, said the board had received a report from the Government Public Health Laboratory on Wednesday that the "prasadam" was not "contaminated''.

The inquiry by the TDB's vigilance officer has also revealed that the "aravana" had not been contaminated. It had also been found that two persons hospitalised had not taken the "aravana".

As per the High Court directive, the ghee being used for preparing "aravana'' is from the offering made by the pilgrims.

Sales of "aravana'' had gone up by 50 per cent this year compared to the corresponding period last year. The arrival of pilgrims to the hill shrine till date has also gone up by 25 to 30 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

On the controversy over women reaching Pampa for the "arat'' festival, Dr. Babu said the Devaswom Commissioner would submit a detailed report to the High Court as directed by it on Tuesday.

The TDB has decided to set up a sewerage treatment plant at the Sannidhanam on the lines of the one commissioned in Pampa. The Rs. 2.75-crore plant would be set up once the Forest Department gave its mandatory clearance.

The TDB's Sree Ayyappa Medical Centre at Pampa would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, on December 13. The Emergency Medical/Heart Care Services will be set up by the Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre on a temporary basis. The doctors of the OP wing of the medical centre will be appointed by the TDB on a contract basis, he said. Pilgrim tour

Mr. Sasidharan said the board had also decided to launch a two-day pilgrim tour from the State capital to Vaikom after the Sabarimala festival concluded. The tour would use the TDB's fleet of buses and would cover 25 major temples.

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