SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, June 17: A 22-year-old youth, Mukul Mishra, created a new record by consuming 32 mangoes in just five minutes at the 4th Mithila Mango Festival, held on Monday evening at Sir Ganganath Jha Vachnalay in Sarisab-Pahi village, around 20 km from Madhubani district in Bihar.
Following two qualifying rounds, 25 participants from Madhubani and Darbhanga districts made it to the final. Mukul Mishra, a resident of Lalgunj village, emerged as the champion, while 19-year-old Rajesh Mandal of Sarisab finished as the runner-up by eating 26 mangoes within the same time frame.
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Festival Attracts Wide Participation and Notable Guests
The event was organized by Delhi-based senior journalist Madan Jha. The oldest participant in the contest was 72-year-old Uday Nath Mishra, and the youngest was Pallav Kumar. Senior journalist and author Vikash Kumar Jha from Patna was the chief guest.
Other guests of honour included Madhubani Sadar MLA Samir Kumar Seth, Professor Dr. Sabita Jha Kha, Norway-based doctor Praveen Kumar, and retired Professor Asarfi Kamat.
The festival was inaugurated by Professor (Dr.) Sabita Jha Kha along with BHU alumnus Umanath Mishra. Around 200 farmers from Darbhanga and Madhubani districts participated, showcasing 150 varieties of mangoes.
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Mukul Says Sour Mangoes Slowed His Pace
Winner Mukul Mishra, the grandson of renowned Kolkata-based classical singer late Pt. Vishwanath Mishra, remarked, “I could have eaten at least 45 mangoes within five minutes, but a few extremely sour ones disrupted my pace.”
Professor Sabita Jha Kha presented the first prize—a mango tree—to Mukul Mishra as a symbol of his achievement.
Apart from Madan Jha, other key organizers included Amal Kumar Jha, Vicky Mandal, and Dilip Mishra.
