Fruit for Thought!

It was a hectic trip and a long vacation away from Bahrain. All I wanted after landing was a quick nap at home. But as I reached my gate, there stood my neighbour and dear friend, Sunil George, smiling warmly — holding a large, golden mango in his hand. “This is the last one,” he said.

“I was waiting for you to come back.”

In our compound, everyone keeps an eye on Sunil’s backyard — not for gossip, but to catch a glimpse of that little mango tree that defies the desert odds. Every year, it gifts him nothing less than 30 to 50 mangoes, each one juicier than the last.

I always thought the bigger the mango, the less the taste. But Sunil proved me wrong — it was full of flavour, soft, and so sweet that one fruit was enough for two people.

Sunil spends much of his free time tending to his plants after work. On Fridays, while I’m still resting, I often see him through my French window — busy with his domestic assistant, watering, trimming, and caring for his plants. He even once managed to grow a coconut tree in his old compound. When the villa was demolished for redevelopment, his greatest worry wasn’t about the house — it was about losing that coconut tree that stood tall and greeted every guest.

That night, as I cut the mango before heading to bed, one thought kept circling in my mind — if Sunil can do this, why not others? Bahrain’s climate may be challenging, but with care and patience, it rewards those who try.

Imagine if our municipalities and corporate houses joined hands to create fruit corridors — stretches of roadside land or open spaces filled with mango, papaya, banana, guava, pomegranate, fig, and lemon trees. Even small vegetable patches featuring cherry tomatoes, carrots, or brinjals could make our city greener and happier.

Each section could be adopted by a company and cared for as part of its social responsibility. The Agriculture Ministry could even introduce an annual award for the best plantation project. It would be a refreshing sight — fruit-bearing trees offering shade, beauty, and joy to residents and tourists alike.

If we can create even 10 kilometres of such a fruit and vegetable corridor in Bahrain, it could become a unique tourist attraction — a living symbol of sustainability and community spirit.

There may be thousands like me waiting to taste those fruits — but what we truly need are more people like Sunil to make it happen.  

(The author is the Chairman & Managing Director of The Daily Tribune)