The Geographical Indications Registry under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), has recently awarded geographical indication (GI) tags to 3 handloom sarees of West Bengal, namely Tangail, Korial and Garad received geographical indication (GI) tags under the goods of Textiles.
- The tangail sarees are woven in Nadia and Purba Bardhhaman districts, while korial and garad are woven in Murshidabad and Birbhum.
About the Sarees:
i.Tangail Cotton Sarees: Finer count, adorned with extra warp designs using colored yarn; named after Tangail district in present Bangladesh.
ii.Korial Sarees: Lavish silk in white or cream; feature heavy gold and silver embellishments akin to Benarasi sarees in border and pallu.
iii.Garad Silk Sarees: Plain white or off-white body, unornamental colored border, striped pallu; traditionally worn during pujas; handwoven with pure silk in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
GI tag for 7 Products from Odisha
The Geographical Indications Registry also awarded GI tags to 7 distinct products of Odisha. These include two local foods, three agricultural products and one each for Textile and Handicraft products viz. Lanjia Saura painting, Dungaria Kondh embroidered shawl, Gajapati Date Palm, Dhenkanal Magji, Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney, Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal and Koraput Kalajeera Rice.
- With this, Odisha has received 25 GI tags to date.
About Products:
i.Lanjia Saura art form: It belongs to ‘Lanjia Saura’ tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha’s Rayagada district.
- These are originally in the exterior murals of tribal homes with white paintings on crimson maroon background.
ii.Dungaria Kondh Embroidered Shawl: The women of Dungaria Kondh, PVTG in Niyamgiri Hills of Rayagada, and Kalahandi districts craft embroidery shawls as a mark of respect and affection for guests.
iii.Kalajeera Rice: Grown by tribal farmers in Koraput district it perceivs medicinal properties like memory improvement, diabetes control, and increased haemoglobin levels.
iv.Kai Chutney: Consumed by tribals in Mayurbhanj district, it is made from red weaver ants.
- It is rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, Vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, and 18 amino acids, boosting the immune system.
v.Kanteimundi Brinjals: Originated in Badabanapur and Ratnapur areas of Nayagarh district; these are known for unique taste, with seeds and prickly thorns.
vi.Date Palm Jaggery ‘Khajuri Guda‘: Originated in Gajapati district it is a natural sweetener obtained from date palm trees.
vii.Magji: It is a sweet item from Dhenkanal district made of buffalo milk cheese.
List of Products awarded with GI Tags
| State | GI Product | Good |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | Tangail Sarees | Textiles |
| Korial Sarees | ||
| Garad Silk Sarees | ||
| Odisha | Painting of Lanjia Saura (IDITAL) | Handi Crafts |
| Dungaria Kondh embroidered shawl | Textiles | |
| Dhenkanal Magji | Food Stuffs | |
| Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney | ||
| Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal | Agriculture | |
| Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery (Khajudi Guda ) | ||
| Koraput Kalajeera Rice |
About GI Tags:
i.GI is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country)
ii.International agreements like the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Articles 1 (2) and 10) and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement (Articles 22 to 24) recognize and govern geographical indications.
iii.India, a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted GI of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 15, 2003, and is aimed at registering and safeguarding geographical indications, preserving the heritage and uniqueness of products linked to specific geographic regions.
- Note: Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get a GI tag in the year 2004, the GI tag for Darjeeling Tea is valid until October 26, 2033.
Recent Related News:
i.Arunachal Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining GI tags for 3 distinct products: Khamti rice, Yak churpi from Tawang, and Tangsa textile.
ii.Udangudi Panangkarupatti, a specific type of palm jaggery or “gur” originating from Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu received GI tag.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister– Naveen Patnaik
Governor– Raghubar Das
Stadium– DRIEMS Ground, Kalinga Stadium, Barabati Stadium
