Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday announced that the state government has applied for a patent to rename dragon fruit to Kamalam which means lotus.
The CM stated that the shape of the dragopn fruit resembles a lotus and the name dragon fruit seems inappropriate. Hence, the state government has decided to call the fruit Kamalam.
During a media interaction at the launch of Chief Minister Horticulture Decelopment Mission, Rupani said, “We have applied for the patent of the Dragon fruit to be called as Kamalam. But as of now, we the Gujarat government have decided to call the fruit as Kamalam.”
He further stated that the name ‘dragon fruit’ isn’t appropriate for the fruit. The shape of the fruit resembles more like a lotus hence Kamalam is more appropriate which means lotus in Sanskrit. He also added that there’s nothing political about it.
Also called Pitaya, this fruit belongs to the Cactaceae family of plants. Apart from being exceptionally beautiful and appetizing, this fruit is a very good source of vitamins and minerals. Also it grows mainly in desert or arid conditions. Thus, making it an important horticulture product in the country.
(Feature image source: Free Press Journal)
