Bengal’s rosogolla gets GI tag

TOPIC: GS PAPER III ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

West Bengal’s famous rosogolla has got the Geographical Indication tag from the Indian Patent Office

The Geographical Indication (GI) Registry and Intellectual Property India has presented the Geographical Indication Tag status to BanglarRasogolla of West Bengal and Mamallapuram stone sculptures of Tamil Nadu.

The sculptures from Mamallapuram were known to be carved in stone with characteristics of intricate designing chiselled finely, keeping with the spirit of the surrounding Pallava art and architecture. The description includes cave architecture, rock architecture, structural temples, open sculptures, relief sculptures and painting/portrait sculptures.

KEY FACTS:

· The state has trumped Odisha, which had reportedly sought the coveted status for its rosogolla.

· BanglarRasogolla from West Bengal gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is a pure white, spongy ball of ‘Chhana’ dipped in light sugar syrup. The Cell for IPR Promotions & Management works under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion.

· BanglarRasogolla is a syrupy dessert popular in all over India and abroad.

· Both states had set their eyes on the GI tag. Odisha has claimed that the sweet originated from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, where it is a part of the religious rituals since the 12th century. Odisha calls it PahalaRasgulla.

· Odisha had even formed a committe under an eminent Jagannath cult scholar to study the origins of the rosogolla. Last year, the committee had endorsed Odisha’s claims in a 100-page report.

· On the other hand, West Bengal had asserted that confectioner Nobin Chandra Das is widely known as the one who created the rosogolla in the 1860s.

· A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

· Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

· Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees and Tirupati Laddus are some of the GIs

What is GI?

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

Significance of a GI tag:
Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

Security:
Once the GI protection is granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products. It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product.

QUESTION ARISING FROM THIS NEWS:
Q1) Discuss the Significance of a GI tag.
REFERENCE: TELEGRAPH, THE HINDU , 23 Nov