After Bengal gets GI tag for 'rosogolla', Odisha to apply for 'Odishara rasagola'

The Odisha government is set to apply for geographical indication (GI) tags for Odishara Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric after neighbouring West Bengal was granted it for the Banglar Rosogolla. 

The Odishara Rasagola is Odisha's variant of the sweetmeat. 

Odisha Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) minister Prafulla Samal said the state will "soon" apply for GI tags for the two products.

The state government has completed collection of primary data and will apply for GI tags for Odishara Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric at the GI Registry office in January 2018, he said.

About the sweet Odisha has said it 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.

Kandhamal turmeric is famous for being organically grown without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and has a demand in international market too.

The Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) for MSMEs at the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) here has already started preliminary research and field work necessary for submitting the application with the GI Registry at Chennai, sources in it said.

The GI status would enhance the trade value of the Kandhamal turmeric and its import to other states would become easy, he added.

The GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place.

The 15 items from Odisha which have already obtained GI tag comprise nadicraft items Kotpad handloom fabric, Orissa ikat, Konark stone carving, Orissa pattachitra, Pipli applique work, Khandua saree and fabrics and Gopalpur tussar fabrics.

The other handicraft products for which Odisha won the GI tag are Dhalapathar parda and fabrics, Sambalpuri bandha saree and fabrics, Bomkai saree and fabrics, Habaspuri saree and fabrics, Berhampur patta and saree and joda.

The state had also won the tag for agricultural products Ganjam kewda rooh, Ganjam kewda flower and Orissa pattachitra, the sources said.