Lucknow, Jun 6: Kalimullah Khan, popularly known as the ‘Mango Man’ of India, has named a newly developed mango variety after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Grown using his signature grafting technique in his Malihabad orchard, the new variety has been named ‘Rajnath Aam’.
Khan, who has earlier named mango varieties after several prominent Indian personalities, including Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai, Akhilesh Yadav, Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah, was awarded the Padma Shri for his unique contributions and dedication to horticulture and fruit breeding.
Speaking about his latest tribute, Khan told PTI Videos, “I name my mangoes after people who have served the country meaningfully. I want these names to live on for generations.
“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.”
On the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead, Khan blamed Pakistan for initiating aggression.
“But today, the atmosphere has improved. Peace, not conflict, is the solution. Problems should be resolved through dialogue. War only escalates hatred and brings harm to all. We are all human, and division only causes more damage,” he said.
Talking about the Malihabad region in Lucknow, known world over for its mangoes, Khan recalled that there were more than 1,300 mango varieties in the area in 1919, but over time, many have disappeared from the market.
“I’ve been working to preserve and revive them, and today I’ve developed over 300 varieties,” he said.
Khan, who began experimenting with crossbreeding mangoes as a child, shared that he only studied up to Class 7.
“I was never inclined toward classroom studies. I respected my teachers and classmates, but I kept failing in Classes 4, 5, 6, and even 7. My heart was always in the orchard.”
Born in 1945, according to official records, Khan said he still feels physically fit, despite having undergone a heart surgery and facing other health issues in his 80s.
Among his many creations, he spoke proudly of the “Asl-ul-Muqarrar” variety of mangoes, which he began developing in 1987. He also recalled an encounter with the then World Bank president, who visited Malihabad.
“I told him about a special mango tree that emitted a fragrant aroma, which I believe works like a tonic for the brain. At first, I wondered what I was doing, telling such things to such a high-ranking man. But he came to the orchard, smelled the tree’s fragrance, and was amazed. He then instructed officials to allot me five acres of land to expand this work,” he said.
However, Khan noted with a tinge of disappointment that despite the presence of senior officials from the central and state governments during that visit, no action was ever taken on the land promise.
Speaking about his life’s mission, Khan said, “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.”
He added that he has documented evidence of the mango’s medicinal benefits in various places.
“Now, we have to see how far the research institutions can take these findings and turn them into real scientific progress.”(PTI)
