BJP's Nitin Nabin gifts four varieties of Indian mangoes to foreign envoys, echoes 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'
New Delhi, June 24
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat', where he spoke about the cultural significance of mangoes, BJP National President Nitin Nabin took the idea beyond India's borders. He sent boxes of mangoes to 82 Heads of Missions in New Delhi, each box carrying a personal note. It wasn't just fruit but India's culture, packed in four flavours.
Vijay Chouthaiwala, in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the BJP shared this on Twitter, calling it a gesture of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, "The world is one family." Sharing not just a fruit, but joy and sweetness.
The four varieties of Mangoes sent include Gir Kesar from Gujarat, which is cultivated in the foothills of Girnar. These mangoes are named for their distinctive saffron-colored pulp. They are ideal for pulping and making juice concentrates.
Malihabadi Dusseheri from Uttar Pradesh is known for its incredibly thin skin and smooth texture. This variety is traditionally eaten by softening the fruit and sucking the pulp directly from the pit.
Banaganapalle from Andhra Pradesh is also known as Benishan or Safeda. It is considered the "King of Mangoes in South India" and is prized for its prolonged shelf life and blemish-free appearance.
Banarasi Langda from Uttar Pradesh is unique because it remains deceptively green on the outside even when fully ripe. It is known for its complex, potent aroma and sweet, slightly tangy taste.
Earlier, PM Modi, on May 31, in his 'Mann ki Baat' programme, talked about different varieties of mangoes in the country and said every region has its own mango, its own flavour.
"As soon as summer arrives, another topic of discussion starts in every household, and that is mangoes. Mangoes are a common topic of discussion. There's hardly a home in India where mangoes are not talked about in the summer. Every region... its own mango, its own flavour, its own aroma. Maharashtra and Konkan's Hapus, Alphonso, Gujarat's Kesar, it's the soul of Aamras, Uttar Pradesh's Dussehri, and my Kashi's Langra," he said.
"Incidentally, the Langra mango has a special quality: it often remains green even after ripening. Bihar's Zardalu, whose aroma can be recognised from afar. Chausa, Malda - each name has memories associated with it. Go to South India, and there's Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam, Malgova, Bengal's Himsagar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh's Suvarnarekha. In other words, as the place changes, the mango's appearance, colour, and taste also change," he added.
PM Modi said that the journey of the mango is now reaching the global market from the village.
"Today, through 'Mann Ki Baat', I will praise my farmer brothers and sisters involved in mango cultivation. You are not just ordinary farmers. You are very special to the agricultural economy of the country. May you keep shining like this," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, this feels like good PR. I love mangoes and appreciate the sentiment, but spending taxpayers' money on gifting fruit to diplomats seems a bit excessive. Couldn't this be better spent on supporting mango farmers directly? PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat praised them, but words need action. The idea is nice, but let's see tangible results. Still, Gir Kesar and Langda are delicious! 😅
As someone who's tried Indian mangoes in the US, this is brilliant. Those Alphonso and Kesar varieties are world-class. Sending four different types to diplomats is a soft power move that puts India's agricultural richness on the map. The personal note from Nitin Nabin adds a warm touch. I'd love to see more cross-cultural exchanges like this. Kudos to the BJP for thinking beyond the usual diplomatic formalities.
Loved reading about Langda mango staying green even when ripe—I remember my grandmother from Kashi telling me that! This initiative taps into nostalgia and pride beautifully. The choice of varieties—Gir Kesar, Malihabadi Dusseheri, Banaganapalle, Banarasi Langda—covers the length and breadth of India. One suggestion: include Totapuri next time for the South's unique taste. Mango season just got more diplomatic! 🥭🌍
Cute gesture but feels like a photo op. I'm from the US and we get tons of Indian mangoes in stores already. Instead of gifting diplomats, why not focus on reducing export tariffs or improving cold chains so these varieties reach more countries? The 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' message is lovely, but India's mango diplomacy could be more impactful if paired with trade agreements. Still, I'd love a box of these! 😊
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