NEW DELHI. Oct 9 Like many other Indians. SmrtH Rudra a 70-year-old grandmother. offered a special prayer to Vletinu. the Hindu go<1 of protection, on Sunday to ward off the plague, reports AP

No deaths have been re ported In the epidemic for five days, and the government and the World Health Organisation both predict It will soon end But that hasn't reassured ev eryone

Thousands of other people In the Indian capital spent the day collecting and destroying garbage because fleas that have

bitten infected rats can spread the pneumonic plague

Tnree weeks alter pneu monte plague hit India, prompting many nations to close their borders to Indians, fear still haunts this nation ol 900 million people Many of them feel It is simply to early to say that the bad. ugly days are over

It is god * grace that the plague has stopped killing people, but I still think we should pray more " said Rudra. who came to New Delhi to celebrate Durga Puja. a major Hindu festival that begins to

day.

Many other Indians realise their country can no longer ignore basic hygiene and sanitation. especially in shantytowns, where millions live without sewerage and water but with plenty of rats.

The pneumonic plague has killed 61 people, according to Indian officials, and the World Health Organisation say the epidemic will be over two weeks after the last death is reported.