Sudarsan Maharana
Post News Network
BHUBANESWAR: If things fall in place, the famous Pahala Rasagolla and the ubiquitous Chennapoda –two typical Oriya sweets – will ride to glory and win global recognition of them as Orissa’s very own.
Official sources told Orissa POST that the state government’s department of small, medium and micro enterprises (department) has initiated a process to ensure geographical indication (GI) tag. This is a status that helps certify a product which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. The two sweets are native to the state and originated here.
Sources said the MSME department is working towards framing an ‘Orissa Food Processing Vision 2025’ and has decided to win this status for the two sweet dishes. This would ensure that the product possessed unique qualities and would be considered as the intellectual property of the concerned local community in the state.
The Pahala Rasagolla, a syrupy dessert prepared in a small locality known as Pahala — between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack –has carved a special niche for itself for its taste and delicacy. In the small village, one would find nearly 50 rasagolla stalls at a 200-metre stretch on both sides of NH 5.
Likewise, Chhenapoda is also believed originated in the Oriya town of Nayagarh in the first half of the 20th Century and gained popularity over time. “As these items have gained a reputation in the market for their specific qualities, the government wants to help the local traders get GI tag, give global recognition to these Oriya sweets and boost their business,” an official said.
He said the director of industry in MSME department has been asked to initiate the process of GI registration for these two items. Sources said though the state has got GI tag for some products in Handloom and textiles, handicrafts and agriculture sectors, it is yet to get this status for any food or sweet dishes. This, although the state is native to many traditional and ethnical food dishes.
“As the local beneficiaries have to apply for the GI status, we will ask the concerned district industrial centres (DICs) to get the local stakeholders together and prepare documents required to be submitted for the GI registration,” joint director of industries SK Sarangi told Orissa Post. He, however, said the process of GI registration is time-consuming but the government will extend all help to the local beneficiaries for getting this tag.
