Despite the Prime Minister Narendra Modi choosing Haryana to launch his ambitious plan for protection of girls, pharmacies owned by the state's brand ambassador, Baba Ramdev, are selling 'medicine' which claims to help women give birth to sons.
Divya Pharmacy, a chain of shops owned by Ramdev, continues to sell ayurvedic medicine called 'Putrajeevak Beej'. The medicine, sold with another product 'Shivling Beej' contains 'Putrajiva Roxburghii', which is useful in infertility and also used as an aphrodisiac.
Although the packaging of the medicine does not clearly mention that it is beneficial for bearing a male child, yet that is a common perception created by its salesmen. Even some websites that sell products made by Ramdev's company make the same claim.
"According to ayurveda this herb helps in achieving a baby boy, but this is a matter of research. But people in India say this medicine is very effective in getting a baby boy," claims a website www.ramdevmedicine.com, which sells all Ramdev products overseas.
Upon queries made at various outlets of Divya Pahramcy in Chandigarh and elsewhere, it was found that the medicine is indeed sold as something that helps in bearing sons. Divya Pharmacy sells a 200 gm packet of 'Putrajeevak Beej' for Rs 30. However, attempts to get a formal response from the pharmacy yielded no result.
{{/usCountry}}Upon queries made at various outlets of Divya Pahramcy in Chandigarh and elsewhere, it was found that the medicine is indeed sold as something that helps in bearing sons. Divya Pharmacy sells a 200 gm packet of 'Putrajeevak Beej' for Rs 30. However, attempts to get a formal response from the pharmacy yielded no result.
{{/usCountry}}Its customer care service said it won't be able to comment on the issue. However, Anil Bhardwaj, a vaid (physician) posted at the Divya Pharmacy in Sector 38, said the medicine is sold only for infertility.
"We don't endorse, if anybody is selling it with claims that it will help to get them a baby boy," he said.