GI Tag Granted To 'Odisha Rasgulla'

The 'Odisha Rasgulla' was granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag on Monday, by the Government of India GI Registry, after a long battle. The rights arising from this tag shall be vested in Odisha Small Industries Corporation Limited (OSIC) and all the 30 districts of the state shall be entitled to use the tag.

A GI is a distinctive sign used to differentiate goods on the basis of its unique characteristics and geographical origin. A state that holds GI rights over a product enjoys exclusive legal and intellectual protection of the product.

Amongst the tussle between Bengal and Odisha relating to origin of the sweet dish, this good news came for Odiyas 2 years after Bengal won its own GI tag for 'Rosogula' in November, 2017. While Bengalis claim that Rosogula was invented by iconic entrepreneur Nobin Chandra Das, in 19th century, at his residence in Kolkata, Odiyas claim the dish to be a part of their rituals since 12th century. It is said to be offered to Goddess Laxmi in the festival "Niladri Bije" as bhog on behalf of Lord Jagannath, after his return from a nine-day-long Rath Yatra. The Odiyas also claim that its reference can be found in 'Dandi Ramayan', an Odia adaptation of 'Valmiki Ramayan', written by Balram Das in the 15th century.

Interestingly, the two neighboring states now own a GI tag for the sweet dish but, for two distinct varieties of Rasgullas which are different in taste and texture. However, the stories of their origin still remain a disputed domain.