Odisha to seek GI tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola'

The Odisha government has decided to apply for Geographical Indication (GI) tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola' instead of 'Odishara Rasagola', said an official on Tuesday.

The director of industries, on the basis of a comprehensive report prepared after taking the views of legal experts and various stakeholders on the issue, has recommended the MSME department file for a GI tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola'.

In a letter to MSME Secretary L.N. Gupta, Director of Industries Smruti Ranjan Pradhan said chances of successfully registering for Odisha Rasagola are not very bright.

"Unless it can be established Rasagolas from Odisha have certain unique qualities, characteristics and reputation essentially it is associated with state of Odisha, the chances of successfully registering Odishara Rasagola as a GI are not very bright," the letter said.

Since there are so many different kinds of the sweet delicacy being prepared in Odisha, it will not be able to identify any definite uniqueness associated with the sweet. Hence applying with the name of Odishara Rasagola will not fetch any benefit or advantage, the letter said.

It recommended the state apply for a GI tag for Jagannath Rasagola going by its age-old exclusive identity and also being a prime ritual of the Jagannath culture of Odisha.

The director of industries suggested that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) or even the Servitors' Association can file for the GI tag on behalf of the state.

MSME Minister Prafulla Samal said: "Bangala Rasagolla is not of entire country. It needs to be proved that the origin of Rasagola is from the pious citadel of Lord Jagannath. Hence, I appeal to historians and researchers to prove that the origin of Rasagola is from Jagannath Peetha. My personal view is that Rasagola is of Odisha."

Law Minister Pratap Jena said the MSME department has been entrusted with the responsibility of getting the GI tag for Puri Lord Jagannath's Rasagola.

"Accordingly, the MSME officials have already made an inspection in Puri. Apart from that, we need to examine the historical background of Rasagola used in Jagannath Temple. It is the prime 'bhog' (divine offering) on the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu's Niladri Bije," said Jena.

--IANS

cd/pgh/