Finally, Odisha files GI application to lay claim to Rasagolla

Bhubaneswar: Three months after West Bengal was awarded with Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ‘Banglar Rasogolla’, Odisha government today filed its application to stake claim for ‘Odishara Rasagolla’.

An official of Odisha Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (OSIC) of the state government today filed the application with the GI Registry in Chennai.

GI application for the #OdisharaRasagola filed with the GI Registry, Chennai by OSIC today !! @CMO_Odisha @Naveen_Odisha @InvestInOdisha @startup_odisha @startupindia @investindia pic.twitter.com/Xs1XUd7M9A

— MSME Odisha (@MsmeDepartment) February 23, 2018

Odisha submitted documents to back its claim for the syrupy cottage cheese balls.

While a bitter battle had ensued among the netizens of the two coastal states after the neighbouring state got the tag, State MSME Minister Prafulla Samal had told media that it was to file its application in January.

Besides, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had emphasised that the mouth-watering delicacy originated from the state.

“Odisha government is in process of obtaining GI tag for Odishara Rasagolla. It originated in Odisha and is offered at Jagannath Temple as part of religious rituals by people of Odisha since the 12th century,” Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had tweeted in November last year.

It may be mentioned here that the spongy sweetmeat 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 Dandi Ramayana.

Recently, a fringe outfit Jagannath Sena had filed GI application for Jagannath Rasagolla and a social organization Regional Development Trust had filed an objection petition with the Registry at Chennai.