SURAT: If you Want to eat a Dragon Fruit in Gujarat then one has to search for 'Kamalam' in the market.
Yes, you heard it right, according to the Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the state government has applied for a patent to change the terminology of the lotus-shaped dragon fruit to 'Kamalam'.
Speaking to a national news agency, the CM said, "State government has decided rename Dragon Fruit. As the outer shape of the fruit resembles a lotus, hence Dragon Fruit shall be renamed as 'Kamalam'."
"The word Kamalam is a Sanskrit word and the fruit does have the shape of the lotus, so we have decided to call it Kamalam, and there's nothing political about it," the chief minister added.
It is to be mentioned that earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat program on All India Radio has mentioned the Dragon fruit farming in arid Kutch region of Gujarat. He praised the farmers of Kutch for the cultivation of this imported fruit so that India can be self-reliant.
"I have been told that the popularity of Dragon Fruits is constantly increasing, especially usage in breakfast has increased considerably. The farmers of Kutch have resolved that the country should not import Dragon Fruit and this is what self-reliance is all about," said PM Modi.
The Dragon fruit originally belongs to South America and mostly India is importing this nutritious fruit. But now, the farmers of Kutch region in Gujarat are cultivating this fruit on a large scale as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
This fruit is high in vitamins and minerals. The significant level of vitamin C is helping to fight chronic disease by boosting the immune system. Progressive farmer of Deshalpar in Kutch district- Keshubhai Thakrani said that farmers are getting good prices of Dragon fruit from hotels and restaurants.
A large number of farmers in Bhuj, Gandhidham and Mandvi areas are now cultivating Dragon fruit and getting good returns.
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