In the early 1970s, the government of India set up the 11th DURGA ARMY Company outpost at Penkim village. In the month of March 1975, the Village Guard (VG) of Thanamir village was called for one day firing training.
During those days, T Ningtsemong was serving as a Village Guard (VG) of Thanamir Village in the rank of L/NK. On completion of training, the food was served by the Army. During that time, he was asked to collect the ration from the store for his sepoys. He came across fruits in storeroom which was exotic to him.
Upon inquiry, Quarter Master NK Bihari answered “It is an Apple” and offered one to him and three more for his children. The apple he ate had a single seed which he kept in his pocket hoping to cultivate the fruit in his garden.
On completion of training and reaching home, he checked seeds from the three apples he have received earlier. Surprisingly one fruit bored two seeds, and the other bored a single seed, while the other one did not bore even a single seed. In wanting to grow he sowed all the four seeds in his backyard, unfortunately only three sprouted in his backyard. Later in the year 1977 he transplanted the saplings from mother bed to his garden. The fruit trees flowered for the first time in 1984 but failed to bear any fruits.
The following year i.e 1985 the trees bore first fruits. He witnessed the three surviving saplings varying in taste, shape and colour. On attaining maturity, its roots were spreaded little far from its parent plant and while weeding around the fruit trees some cuts were inflicted on roots with spade leaving a wound mark on the roots where it sprouted new shoots. On learning this factor of shoot propagation from root he learned the art of multiplying.
People whom he distribute/gave saplings included: (1) Lt. T. Yapmüle (2) Lt. H Sheyamki (3) P. Shihtopah (4) R. Royim (5) Lt. L. Sheyamki (6) Lt. Tükheki (7) Lt. Y Thsepongki (8) Lt. H Kithsumong (9) R. Yongpamong (10) S. Kithsumong (11) A. Tsangmüle (12) T. Somüle (13) N. Kithong (14) S. Yongthrünthong (15) Lt. Tsulumong (16) R. Thsantsuthong. (17) Lt. T Thüveki (Longkhimvong village) (18) Lt. Throngtsangki (Salomi village)
Giving saplings to these people multiplied the Apple at Thanamir.
To this day only two mother plants stand still, while the other could not survive.
Narrated by: T. Ningtsemong
Supportive narrator: Foki W/o T. Ningtsemong
Story writers: Limtsumong Y, Thanamir village, Letemong T Yimchunger, Thanamir village, N Lemchimong Thanamir village.
