India and mangoes share a love story that’s centuries old—one that blooms every summer with flavours, fragrance, and memories. But there’s one man who has taken this love to an entirely new level—Kalimullah Khan, fondly known as the ‘Mango Man of India’. His recent tribute to the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in the form of a brand-new mango variety named ‘Rajnath Aam’, is just another chapter in his astonishing legacy.
In This Article:
A Man Who Speaks Through Mangoes
At 83 years of age, Kalimullah Khan isn’t your average farmer. Hailing from Malihabad, a small town near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, he has been nurturing mangoes for over five decades. What makes him legendary, however, is not just his devotion but his genius—he has successfully grafted over 300 varieties of mangoes on a single tree. Yes, you read that right. One tree. 300 types. It’s not magic—it’s science, art, and a bit of madness for mangoes.
Awarded the Padma Shri in 2008, Khan has a reputation for naming mango varieties after public figures he admires. Over the years, he’s paid tribute to Narendra Modi, Aishwarya Rai, Sachin Tendulkar, and even Akhilesh Yadav—each name carefully chosen to reflect traits that the mango variety somehow embodies.
The Birth of ‘Rajnath Aam’
The idea behind naming the mango after Rajnath Singh is deeply personal. Kalimullah Khan sees in him the qualities of dignity, calm strength, and a down-to-earth personality—traits that, according to him, should be mirrored in a mango. The Rajnath Aam, although still in its early growth, is expected to have a golden-orange hue, sweet aroma, thick pulp, and a unique flavour profile—perhaps just like the leader it honours.
He told reporters, “Rajnath Singh is soft-spoken, simple and honest. He is a real son of the soil. I wanted to do something to show my respect. So, I named a mango after him.”
Why This Tribute Matters
In a time when political appreciation is often expressed through towering statues or massive rallies, Kalimullah Khan’s mango tributes feel refreshingly organic. These mangoes grow, live, and are shared with people—a tribute that is alive and edible, connecting nature, leadership, and public memory in the sweetest way.
A Living Legacy Rooted in Soil
Khan’s life story is a reminder that greatness doesn’t always require loud declarations. Sometimes, it grows slowly, branch by branch, graft by graft, and fruit by fruit. With every new variety he creates, especially one like Rajnath Aam, he strengthens India’s rich horticultural heritage and proves that love for one’s craft can indeed bear fruit—literally.
So, the next time you bite into a mango, remember: behind its juicy sweetness, there might just be a story waiting to be told. And chances are, Kalimullah Khan might have written that story—with a grafting knife instead of a pen.
By – Nikita
