In India, mangoes are more than just a fruit—they’re the soul of summer. But for one man, they became a lifelong passion. Meet Kaleem Ullah Khan, lovingly known as the ‘Mango Man of India’, whose extraordinary devotion to horticulture transformed a single 120-year-old mango tree in Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh, into a living marvel—bearing over 300 unique mango varieties, each with its own shape, color, and taste.

Starting his journey at just 17, Khan chose grafting over a conventional career path. Without formal education beyond seventh grade, he learned everything from the soil, trees, and trial-and-error—eventually earning the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2008 for his contributions to Indian horticulture.

What sets him apart? Khan names his mango varieties after iconic personalities—from Aishwarya Rai to Sachin Tendulkar and PM Narendra Modi—giving each fruit its own story.