Farmer hires nine dogs, three guards to protect rare mangoes
Jabalpur (MP): A farmer in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur has hired three security guards and nine dogs to secure trees bearing a rare variety of mangoes that are worth around Rs 21,000 per fruit.
These trees are similar to the ones bearing Taiyo No Tamago, a Japanese variety of mango, which is among the costliest fruits in the world and is grown in a controlled environment.
Speaking to PTI, Jabalpur resident Sankalp Singh Parihar said there are 1,100 mango trees on his 12-acre farm at Chargawan Road, and of these, 50 belong to a breed similar to Taiyo No Tamago.
There are only three to four fruits on these 50 trees at present. To secure these trees, we have pressed into service three guards and nine dogs including six German Shepherds, Parihar said.
A trader had offered Rs 21,000 for a single fruit, the orchardist claimed, adding that an internet search had revealed that one piece of this variety of mango was earlier sold at Rs 2.70 lakh.
Parihar said he has stepped up the security at the farm, after an attempt was made to steal the mangoes.
About five years ago, Parihar had brought 100 saplings of six mango varieties, unknown to him, from Chennai for Rs 2.5 lakh, and of these, 52 trees have survived.
"My intention is not to sell fruits of this rare variety, but to develop an orchard of them," he said.
Taiyo No Tamago (egg of the sun) is a special Japanese variety of mango, which is grown in a controlled environment in Japan, and is among the most expensive in the world.
The fruit is a dark red on the outside and has a fleshy deep yellow interior. These mangoes are rich in antioxidants, folic acid and beta-carotene.
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Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
