'Rajnath Aam': All You Need To Know About New Mango Variety Named After Defence Minister
The fruit was grown by Kaleem Ullah Khan, known as the 'Mango Man of India' and a recipient of Padma Shri award.
India is home to several varieties of mangoes, from Malda to Dussehri. Now, a new variety of the fruit named after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been added to the list. Kaleem Ullah Khan, known as the 'Mango Man of India,' has developed this variant.
Named 'Rajnath Aam', the mango was grown by the renowned horticulturist using his signature grafting technique in his Malihabad orchard.
Khan received the Padma Shri Award in 2008 for his contributions to horticulture and fruit breeding. He had earlier named mango varieties after prominent Indian personalities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sachin Tendulkar, Sonia Gandhi and Aishwarya Rai, PTI reported.
For Khan, naming mango varieties after famous people is a way to honour the individuals who have served the nation. In an interaction with PTI Videos, Khan said, "I name my mangoes after people who have served the country meaningfully. I want these names to live on for generations.”
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Rajnath Aam: All You Need To Know
In his interview, Khan praised Rajnath Singh, calling him a “thoughtful individual” who wants peace. Speaking on the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead, Khan blamed Pakistan for igniting tensions.
"Sometimes people forget great leaders, but if a mango reminds them of Rajnath Singh's good work, then it's worth it. He is a balanced and thoughtful individual. During a recent discussion about Pakistan, I found that he sincerely desires peace, not war,” he told the news agency.
Who Is Kaleem Ullah Khan?
The Padma Shri awardee has been involved in cross-breeding fruits for decades. He transformed a 120-year-old tree in his hometown to produce 300 different types of mangoes. Among his many creations is the “Asl-ul-Muqarrar" variety, which he started developing in 1987.
He resides in Lucknow’s Malihabad, which is known globally for its mangoes. Khan recalled that in 1919, there were more than 1,300 varieties of the fruit in the area, but many have disappeared over time from the market.
Khan began working in horticulture when he was just 17. He did not study beyond class 7. Over time, his skills in grafting fruits became famous. He claims to have developed 300 varieties of mangoes.
"I want people to keep enjoying different varieties of mangoes long after I'm gone, especially those who truly love this fruit. Mango is one of the few fruits in the world that can help people stay healthy and has healing powers," Khan said when talking about the reason behind his efforts.
