The Government of Gujarat organized a three-day Kamalam (Dragon Fruit) festival between 14-16th October at Dilli Haat where 22 farmers from Gujarat participated. Shri Rajbir Singh, Managing Director, NAFED, and Smt. Arti Kanwar, Resident Commissioner opened this festival yesterday by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Shri D.K. Parekh, MD, Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd in Dilli Haat.  This festival served as the perfect opportunity for consumers to purchase Dragon fruit directly from the farmers producing them. Prominent artists from Kutch also performed at the festival. Kamalam, also known as Dragon fruit, Pitaya Fruit, and Super Fruit, belongs to the cactus species. The name was changed from Dragon fruit to Kamalam in the month of January 2021 by the Gujarat government. The name change was inspired by the fruit’s lotus-like appearance with spikes and petals.

Author-Dr.Aishwarya Nair