BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Wednesday decided to file an application for "Odishara Rasagola" with GI Registry and said the GI tag granted to West Bengal (WB) will no way affect the state's claim.
A day after geographical indication (GI) tag was granted in favour of Banglar Rasogoll a triggering a nation-wide debate over the origin of the sweetmeat, the top administration of the state, led by Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, convened a meeting to discuss the way forward.
Registration of GI for Banglar Rasogolla in no way affects the claim for GI registration of Odishara Rasogolla, the government said adding, the Bengal and Odisha variants are different in colour, texture, taste, juice content and method of manufacturing.
Odisha Rasagola is softer and light brown in colour whereas, Bangalar Rasogolla is white and cream in colour. The syrup for both is also different.
Additional chief secretary, MSME Department LN Gupta said, the GI tag refers to the source of the product and not to its origin. The tag for the Banglar Rasogolla is specific to the West Bengal.
"Odisha Rasagola has a history of 800 years. Its association with state's traditions and practices associated with Lord Jagannath has historical mentions," Gupta said.
He informed that the state government will depute an officer to oversee the whole GI application process.
The government also said products and goods that are essentially the same still exist as separate Geographical Indication by virtue of their origin, distinctness and uniqueness. There are different GIs for the Tirupathi Laddu and Bandar Laddu while the same applies for Darjeeling Tea and Kangra Tea or Mizo Chilli and Bhiwapur Chilli.
With debate still raging over Rasagola's origin, experts said Odisha Rasagola has traditionally been offered as bhog to Goddess Lakshmi at Puri Jagannath Temple as part of "Niladri Bije” which marks a return of the deities to the temple after Ratha Yatra Festival. This practice has existed for centuries.
So far, Odisha has GI tags for 15 products while WB has 19.
The GI tag is an intellectual property identifier for a product and is used as a name or sign on products, which corresponds to a specific geographical location and possesses qualities or reputation that are due to that origin.