[sadhuji]

Apart from the roadside goodies on Indian roads that we have come across so far, there is one more type that attracts attention – they are the ones who sell herbs and potions to cure all ills. They usually move about in tiny groups. From external appearances with long matted hair and flowing robes they resemble people who have renounced life and have dedicated their all to care for the poor. The herbs they dispense are supposed to be products of the forests of the Himalayas; the formulas of the potions are trade secrets carried forward from their forefathers – these have powers to add vigor to life, and can do wonders to ones vitality etcetera. Similarly they sell balms that have the power to remove muscular and joint pains. In this group there are those who possess magic powers of bones – they carry with them human bones and skulls and, depending on the ‘patient’ they use these appliances to prove their capabilities.

These so-called medics who practice alternate medicine prefer to put up their tents in localities where there is a fair sprinkling of the not-too-rich persons. Inside the tents there are placards and boards that spell out various types of diseases and their remedies – similar to any regular medical setup one sees in a dispensary or nursing home. The more adventurous and enterprising ones display captive snakes to lend authenticity to their claims. They seldom face competition because the cities are large enough to accommodate several of them at the same time in different locations. Some of them use audio cassettes to publicize their plus points.

To keep them company, there are the innumerable palmists and astrologers that one comes across in street comers – with a caged parrot and a bunch of cards, they wait for the gullible ones to come over to get their fortunes told via cards or extend their palms for knowing answers to questions that continue to trouble them.

I have not tried any of the medicines of the medics who prescribe alternative medicines, nor have I tried to know my future from astrologers and palmists; but their earnings must be good enough otherwise why should they be engaged in activities that do not pay well.

[jyotirmoy]

Sadhuji I don't know whether these concoctions can be termed goodies !!! But yes I see them at different spots in Delhi. They usually pitch their tents near slum clusters. Some of them play recorded tapes exhaulting the powers of their "alternate" medicines. Because of the wild life brigades in Delhi they no longer display the huge wild lizards which were once a permanent item on display in the past. I had seen them boiling these lizards in oil to extract medicine. Long time ago when I first came to Delhi this thing intrigued me. So I approached once such "doctor" and asked him about the ailment for which this oil would be prescribed. He winked at me & told me that I would need this oil after another 30 years. I got the hint and walked away.

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Apr 14 2007, 03:12 AM, said:

Sadhuji I don't know whether these concoctions can be termed goodies !!! .......He winked at me & told me that I would need this oil after another 30 years. I got the hint and walked away.

jyotirmoy - you have answered the question yourself!!!! these are certainly goodies to a section of the people.