Rasagola origin row: Odisha pulls out evidence to stake claim over syrupy sweet

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 14:

In a bid to strengthen the claim of Rasagola originating from Odisha, research scholar on Jagannath cult and traditions Asit Mohanty yesterday submitted some relevant documents to the state government.

Mohanty presented a 27-page research paper and a 100-page document comprising of 75 points to Science & Technology Minister Pradeep Panigrahi raising hope for the much coveted geographical indication (GI) tag of the syrupy sweet.

"Asit Mohanty has submitted evidence regarding existence of Rasagola in Odisha before 1500 AD. The department will examine the report and take appropriate steps soon to present the evidence before the Government of India in order to create an identity of Rasagola having its origin from Odisha," Panigrahi said.

"Odisha will definitely get the GI tag of rasagola as the West Bengal government hasn't applied for the same due to lack of concrete evidence to support their claims," Mohanty said.

In the submitted documents, the researcher has rejected the claim of West Bengal that preparation of chhena, the stuff required for making rasagola, was initially learnt by Bengalis from Portuguese.

It may be recalled that the Odisha government had last year initiated efforts for GI tag of Pahala rasagola following which the West Bengal government claimed that the syrupy sweet originated from their state.

The Odisha government had then formed three committees to take the battle with its neighbour West Bengal over the origin of the rasagola.

After the committees failed to gather sufficient evidence in favour of Odisha, the government left showing enthusiasm in the GI tag race.

However, hopes re-emerged after Mohanty came up with solid evidences in media. He had claimed of rasagola being cited in ‘Dandee Ramayana’, the Odia adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana by sage poet Balarama Das, the eldest of the Panchasakhas in the 15^th century.

Further, Dandee Ramayana has featured in World e-Book of 1921 published by Calcutta University which has mention of rasagola’s association with traditions and practices associated with Lord Jagannath, Mohanty had claimed.