Rosogolla war: Odisha to file application for GI tag for Odishara Rasagola

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.
Rosogolla war: Odisha to file application for GI tag for Odishara Rasagola

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 Rosogolla’ triggering a Nation-wide debate over 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 Rosogolla’ in no way affects the claim for GI registration of ‘Odishara Rasagola’, the Government said adding, the Bengal and Odisha variants are different in colour, texture, taste, juice content and method of preparation.

Odisha version is softer and light brown in colour whereas, ‘Banglar Rosogolla’ is white and cream in colour. The syrup for both are also different.Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department LN Gupta said, the GI tag refers to source of the product and not to its origin. The tag for the ‘Banglar Rosogolla is specific to 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.

The State Government has planned to depute an officer to oversee the entire 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 return of the deities to the temple after Rath Yatra Festival. This practice has existed for centuries.
So far, Odisha has GI tags for 15 products, while West Bengal has 19. The Kotpad handloom fabric, Odisha Ikat, Konark stone carving handicraft, Odisha Pattachitra, Pipli applique work, Khandua saree and fabrics, Gopalpur tussar fabrics handicraft, Ganjam Kewda Rooh Agricultural, Ganjam Kewda flower, Dhalapathar Parda and fabrics handicraft, Sambalpuri dandha saree and fabrics handicraft, Bomkai saree and fabrics handicrafts, Habaspuri saree and fabrics handicraft, Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree and Joda and Pattachitra (Logo).

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.

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