Dragon fruit renamed in Indian state

AHMEDABAD: The Government in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, Gujarat, has renamed dragon fruit as it feels the original name is associated with China, drawing derision from the country’s Opposition yesterday.

India and China are in a standoff at their contested Himalayan border, New Delhi responding to the deaths of 20 of its troops in June by banning Chinesemade apps and curbing imports.

‘‘The Gujarat government has decided . . . the word dragon fruit is not appropriate, and is associated with China. The fruit’s shape is like a lotus, and hence we have given it a new Sanskrit name, kamalam,’’ Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani told media on Wednesday.

The lotus, or kamal in Hindi, is the symbol of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Opposition Congress yesterday called the name change a gimmick.

‘‘The Government has nothing worthwhile . . . and is trying to divert attention from real issues,’’ Gujarat spokesman Manish Doshi said. — Reuters