IIT Kharagpur facilitating filing of GI application for 'Goyna Bori'

The Intellectual Property Rights cell of IIT Kharagpur has taken up an initiative to facilitate the process of filing of potential Geographical indications for "Goyna Bori" - the fine art of using lentil paste mix to create exquisite designs, a institution's director said here on Sunday.

"Goyna Bori is distinctive of certain parts of Bengal. With a distinct historical basis dating back several centuries, the art form has been elaborately described by Rabindranath Tagore in his works. It is believed to have originated in Midnapore," IIT Kharagpur director Partha Pratim Chakrabarti told the media.

A team comprising students and faculty of the IPR Cell visited Tamluk, headquarter of East Midnapore district and embarked on the exercise of preparing the requirements for filing of a GI for "Goyna Bori".

The team met district officials and also interacted with some self-help groups engaged in the art-form.

The women demonstrated various aspects of the making of the goyna bori, its current status and also the distinct demand this has in several states of India and abroad.

"The self-help groups suggested that this art must be encouraged and agreed to assist in providing information that could help in the documentation for the registration of GI."

The IIT's AIP Cell team collected the documentation as well as details of the socio-economic aspects of the art form. The team is in the process of documentation for filing of GI.

The endeavour followed a suggestion from Neerajita Sarkar, a graduating student of LL.B Hons. in IP Law, who initiated the thought for GI recognition of "Goyna Bori".

Chakrabarti said the institute would recognize faculty excellence at all levels of the career path of the teachers and staff by endowing regular faculty members through chair professorship awards and faculty Excellence Awards. The regular non-faculty staff members will be endowed with staff excellence awards.

The Institute will shortly announce six chair professor awards for full professors for a three-year term which may be renewed once. The award amount will be Rs 25,000 per month pver and above the salary.

He said the ministry of human resource development has sanctioned Rs 48.75 crores to IIT Kharagpur for the second phase of National Digital Library project.

--IANS

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