Odisha applies for GI tag for 'Odishara Rasagola'

Finally, the Odisha government on Friday filed an application for Geographical Indication (GI) tag to stake claim for "Odishara Rasagola".

The state government move comes three months after West Bengal was awarded GI tag for "Banglar Rasogolla".

Officials of the Odisha Small Industries Corporation Ltd (OSIC) filed the application with the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai.

"GI application for the #OdisharaRasagola filed with the GI Registry, Chennai, by OSIC today," tweeted the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.

Notably, a bitter battle over the origin of the syrupy had ensued between the two neighbouring states as both claimed origin of the sweet in their respective state.

In November, the GI tag was granted to "Banglar Rasogolla" which applies only to the sweet produced in West Bengal.

Odisha has been claiming that Rasagola originated in the state and it was offered at Shri Jagannath Temple as well.

The spongy sweetmeat has been a part of the state's centuries-old ritual of offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and was mentioned in a 16th century Odiya epic "Dandi Ramayana", said an official.

Recently, a fringe outfit Jagannath Sena had filed GI application for Jagannath Rasagola, while a social organisation Regional Development Trust had filed an objection petition with the Registry at Chennai.

Besides, a PIL was also filed in the Orissa High Court seeking GI tag for "Odishara Rasagola".

--IANS

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