‘Taming the dragon’: Twitter aflame as Indian state renames dragon fruit for sounding ‘too Chinese language’

As border tensions with China run excessive, the Indian state of Gujarat has determined that dragon fruit must be rebranded as a result of its present moniker is simply too intently related to its neighbor to the north.

Gujarat’s chief minister, Vijay Rupani, has introduced that the fruit will probably be renamed “Kamalam” within the state as a result of the unique title “is related to China.”

The brand new title is the Sanskrit phrase for “lotus” and Rupani defined that it was chosen as a result of the fruit resembles the flower. It’s seemingly greater than a coincidence that the lotus additionally occurs to be the nationwide flower of India and the image of the nation’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Social gathering.

Additionally on rt.com

India’s military chief calls China & Pakistan a ‘potent menace’, however hopes for ‘peaceable answer’ of border dispute with Beijing

“The state authorities has determined [to] rename the dragon fruit. Because the outer form of the fruit resembles a lotus, therefore dragon fruit shall be renamed as Kamalam,” Rupani stated, in accordance with the ANI information company. 

“The title of dragon fruit [is] related to China and we’ve got modified it,” he added. 

The information shortly sparked an outbreak of fruit-throwing on Twitter as folks raised questions in regards to the priorities of the Gujarat authorities. 

“We weren’t happy renaming the cities, we have to rename greens & fruits too. By the best way, Covid is on, the financial system took successful, we’re in the course of a pandemic. Simply saying,” common TV chef Kunal Kapur wrote.

Political opponents have been additionally fast to get quips in. “Hallelujah! The dragon has been proven its place… oh wait, I meant dragonfruit,” joked Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena occasion. “The dragon has been slayed,” added Karti Chidambaram from the Indian Nationwide Congress. 

Relations between India and China have deteriorated up to now yr as the problem of the long-disputed border within the Himalayan area once more reared its head. 

The 2 powers are competing to construct infrastructure alongside the border and each international locations have accused one another of violating the Line of Precise Management (LAC). Final yr noticed the primary deadly confrontation between the 2 sides since 1975.

It’s not the primary time meals has been renamed for political causes. Maybe probably the most well-known latest instance was the ill-fated rebrand of French fries as ‘Freedom fries’ in the US, on account of France’s opposition to America’s struggle in Iraq.

French fries and French toast have been renamed within the Home of Representatives for 3 years earlier than the title change was quietly reversed as opposition to the struggle grew to become widespread.

Suppose your pals would have an interest? Share this story!

Original Source