Divine intervention to ward off ‘evil’ flu

Use Nilgiri oil on your handkerchief to prevent getting affected by swine flu. A special dua which if chanted will ward off the dreaded disease, reports Joydeepa Sarma.

Use Nilgiri oil on your handkerchief to prevent getting affected by swine flu. A special dua which if chanted will ward off the dreaded disease.

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These are some of the SMSes that many of you might have received. Though you may laugh it off, its finding takers, too.

The panic has resulted in many resorting to religious beliefs and other superstitions.

Shruti Pol (21), a student, said she is not very religious, although she has turned to superstition owing to the current scare.

“I was told that eating eggs could help prevent swine flu, so I have started doing so. I am planning to chew three Tulsi leaves in the morning as I saw it being prescribed on TV by a spiritual leader,” says Pol.

Mehmud Dariyabadi, secretary of the Ulema Council, said they were forwarding the SMS with the special dua to as many people as possible.

“It should be chanted as many times as possible,” he said.

Fayaz Pathan, owner of a local publication, agrees. “I chant this dua every time I step out of or come into the house. It’ll benefit people around too,” he said.

Although the SMS about using Nilgiri oil is said to have come from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the website proclaims otherwise. The homepage states that it does not recommend any such formula and people should call the helpline instead.