MARGAO: Passion for gardening and cultivating vegetables has solidified Lakshman Nilkant Wagle’s place in the annals of agricultural excellence and horticultural history as he achieved a new a record for cultivating the longest drumstick measuring 49 inches, nurtured with care in a bucket in his backyard at Aquem, Margao.
The 49-inch long drumstick grown on a Sheoga tree planted by Wagle, who runs a cloth shop in Margao market, has astounded the world as he was issued a congratulatory letter by the prestigious ‘Elite Books of Records’.
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On discovering that the previous record for a 46-inch long drumstick was held by a woman in Bengaluru, Wagle wasted no time in sharing the news with the Director of Agriculture, Nevil Alphonso.
Recognising the significance of Wagle’s achievement, Alphonso organised an inspection to verify the authenticity of the record-breaking drumstick. Following a thorough inspection by a team of Agriculture Department officials, Lakshman’s feat was officially recognised as a world record. His exceptional achievement has garnered praise and admiration from experts in the field.
An elated Wagle said that his passion for gardening and nurturing plants had been a cherished hobby since childhood. From tender shoots to towering trees, Wagle’s green thumb found joy in cultivating life and witnessing nature’s wonders unfold.
Despite his busy schedule running a cloth shop in Margao market, Wagle ensures that his evenings are dedicated to tending the trees and nurturing the garden near his home. Among the lush greenery, he cultivates a variety of vegetables including okra, brinjal, radish, spinach, fenugreek, milk gourd, pumpkin and cucumber.
This harmonious balance between his business and his passion for gardening reflects Wagle’s unwavering commitment to both his livelihood and his love for nature. He has won numerous prizes in competitions related to gardening in the past.
Wagle fondly recounted the genesis of his record-breaking drumstick plant, gifted by his friend Guru Dutt Naik the previous year.
Initially nurtured in a humble bucket, the plant faced a setback when a hungry rat nibbled its top part during its growth. He again nursed the plant and eventually witnessed it flourish into a vibrant specimen with two sturdy branches.
Months later, the plant bloomed with delicate flowers heralding the arrival of its prized yield, he said.
