Capital to usher in magic of mangoes

Legends say that a popular mango variety of Bengal was named by a British officer after a village woman who treated him to it. Another famous mango got its name from Queen of the then Nawab of Bengal who favoured it. Yet another had the reputation of being so delicate that it was kept dipped in honey to increase its shelf-life.

The annual exposition of mangoes from West Bengal returns to Delhi this month, offering an opportunity to connoisseurs not only to experience the taste of the king of fruits but also to share such anecdotes and myths, be it about Fazli, Rani Pasand or Kohitur or be it about any of the hundreds of other varieties of mangoes grown in the state.

The 7th Edition of 'Bengal Mango Mela', being held at Handloom Haat, Janpath, from June 16 to 30, 2019, has brought together a diverse range of delicious mangoes from Malda, Murshidabad and Bankura districts of the state, such as Himsagar, Lakshman Bhog, Langda, Amrapali, Mallika as well as the lesser-known types such as Ashuadgi, Molamjam, Michhrikand and Altapeti. Select handloom and handicrafts products from Bengal are also on sale at the venue, apart from Bengali sweets and savoury fish delicacies.

The endeavour is being supported by the Departments of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Agri-Marketing, Tourism and Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal, as well as West Bengal State Fisheries Development Corporation, and the offices of the respective District Magistrates.

The Office of the Resident Commissioner, West Bengal, is coordinating the event. The Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, which is the controlling authority of Handloom Haat, has extended assistance for organising this exposition. The fair will be formally inaugurated on June 18, 2019, at 5.30 pm.