Gujarat To Rename Dragon Fruit As Kamalam As It Resembles Lotus; CM Rupani Says Nothing Political Behind It

Gujarat CM Rupani says that the Gujarat government has decided to rename dragon fruit 'Kamalam'. He said that it has nothing to do with the Gujarat BJP headquarters which is also called Kamalam.

New Delhi: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said on Tueday that the Gujarat government is renaming dragonfruit as 'Kamalam' as the outer part of the fruit resembles a lotus flower. 
"The State government has decided rename Dragon Fruit. As the outer shape of the fruit resembles a lotus, hence the Dragon Fruit will be renamed as Kamalam" said Rupani according to ANI. "The name of dragon fruit is associated with China and we have changed it," he added.

According to media reports, Chief Minister said that the Gujarat government has applied for a patent to rename the exotic fruit, which is mostly imported from South America but is now grown in several states.

Rumours began that the renaming of the fruit has something to do with the state Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in Gujarat is also named Kamalam, refuting this theory CM Rupani said “There’s no need to seethe due to the similarity with BJP’s Kamalam.” according to The Hindu Business Line.

Last year, PM Modi had praised farmers in Kutch who began growing the fruit as a part of the Atamnirbhar campaign in his monthly radio show "Mann ki Baat". Frarmers in Gujarat, mainly in Bhuj, Gandhidham and Mandvi find that the fruit is becoming increasingly profitable as Indians are adding it to their diet. PM Modi also listed the nutritional benefits of the fruit, which is high in vitamins and minerals. Aside from Gujarat, the fruit is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

According to an NDTV report, farmers in Gujarat have already started branding it as "Kamalam Fruit" in local markets. According to the state government, the name has instant connect with local farmers.