A story related to the world known scientist Newton goes like this. While working in his laboratory during nights he often used to be disturbed by mother cat and her offspring as they scratched the door from outside to allow them entry. So he called a carpenter and asked him to saw two holes in the door, large one for mother cat and the small one for offspring. The carpenter however told him that only one large hole would be sufficient as the offspring would follow mother cat. The story, however simple is believed to be real one.
I remember one simple lemon-seed story that happened in Bangalore sometime in 1980 when with Shri H.M. Dalaya was on visit to Regional Office of NDDB. Shri Dalaya was Food Technologist of high reputation and post retirement from Amul he was with NDDB on FAO assignment. That was his first visit to Bangalore and we thought it proper to arrange his visit to a village dairy society to give him some idea about the working of societies being organized by KDDC under the World Bank aided Project. Accordingly we arranged his visit to a village society in consultation with the officials of Bangalore Milk Union. I was to escort him.
On that day early in the morning I reached the hotel Where Shri Dalaya was put up. It was 6 AM sharp and he was ready to go. The village name was probably Ramagondanhalli and our journey was to take about thirty minutes. We reached there by 6:45 AM and found that the atmosphere was very cheerful. Many people were standing in front of milk collection center to welcome us. As we went near I noticed that water had been sprinkled on the ground giving fragrance apart from settling of dust. On the loud speaker of Panchayat building some music was being played on Radio that charged the atmosphere further.
As our car stopped in front of milk collection center several men came forward to welcome Shri Dalaya. They were clad in white clothes with typical Lungi and Kurta and were actually Members of the local Managing Committee. One official of Bangalore Milk Union was also present to coordinate the visit. As we came out, a person who was apparently Chairman of the Society approached Shri Dalaya and garlanded him. The official of BMU introduced the Chairman and few office bearers to us.
And as he did that, the very next person came forward and offered two lemon fruits to both of us. Shri Dalaya was rather surprised but felt very happy. The fruits were large in size and in perfect shape and color that was shining in morning light.
In fact Shri Dalaya was delighted to receive the lemons but rather puzzled. The person understood his problem and explained.
” Sir, it is our custom to welcome honored guest with lemon. We consider lemon auspicious because it brings health and prosperity.” He said.
” From where you got this beautiful variety ? ” Shri Dalaya enquired.
” Sir, these are local. We grow these lemons here.” Came the reply.
Shri Dalaya was very much impressed.
” Can I get few seeds of these lemons ? ” He asked. It was a very simple question any nature loving person would have asked.
But the answer to that question was equally simple.
” Sir, that fruit has seeds inside.” That person said.
Shri Dalaya instantly realized the fact that the lemons had seeds inside.
After our visit was over he carried those lemons with him and I am sure he would have carried them back home.
2 replies on “Story of Lemon seeds”
Yes sir, sometimes the scientists do such miracles, as Newton did, HM Dalaya was a food tech person and may be an agronomist would not have asked. Its subject matter specialist job sir, to be master of his subject, as Mr Dalaya was. Great Story.
This is an example of the “Innocence of brilliant minds”. Mr. Dalaya was a very brilliant and simple soul.