The battle between West Bengal and Odisha over the origin of the sweet dish, Rasgulla is decades old. While the former credits itself for being the brainchild behind the birth of the dish, the later disagreed and refused to give up the credit.
Well, putting the fight to rest, Odisha now is the proud and official owner of their own version of the ‘Rasagola’ as it finally received the Geographical Indications (GI) tag for the dish.
A GI tag recognises a product as distinctive to a particular locality or region or country. The Rasagola is a popular dessert of Odisha and their improvised version of the famous Rasgulla. Odisha moved for the GI Registry for its Rasagola after West Bengal was awarded the GI tag for its own ‘Banglara Rasgulla’ on November 14, 2017.
The Registry office of India had clarified that West Bengal was given GI status for Banglara Rosogolla and Odisha can claim it too if they site the place of origin of their variant along with colour, texture, taste, juice content and method of manufacturing.
Reportedly, the registration was conferred to ‘Odisha Rasagola’ under Section 16(I) or of authorized Section 17(3)(c) of Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 on Monday.
The GI number 612 has been registered in favour of the Odisha Small Industries Corporation Limited (OSIC Limited), a government of Odisha undertaking and Utkal Mistanna Byabasayee Samiti, a traders’ organisation, in the foodstuff category.
“Happy to share that #Odisha Rasagola has received GI Tag in Geographical Indication Registry. This mouthwatering culinary delight made of cottage cheese, loved by Odias across the world, is offered to Lord Jagannath as part of bhog since centuries #OdishaRasagola,” tweeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Happy to share that #Odisha Rasagola has received GI Tag in Geographical Indication Registry. This mouthwatering culinary delight made of cottage cheese, loved by Odias across the world, is offered to Lord Jagannath as part of bhog since centuries #OdishaRasagola pic.twitter.com/9SchxLaAcv
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 29, 2019
Twitter was also delighted to hear the sweet news:
Oh what a sweet news pic.twitter.com/icnow7Aer7
— Niharika Sahoo (@niharikasahoo) July 29, 2019
#Odisha #Rasagola finally gets GI tag. Given the recorded links of the sweet delicacy to the rituals of the 12th century Shree Jagannatha temple, it was a fait accompli. Congratulations to all Odias across the Globe. 😊
— Arabinda K Padhee (@arvindpadhee) July 29, 2019
So #Rasagola has an Odia origin. Thank you #Odisha for giving us such juicy syrupy mouthwatering Sweet. 😍😍
— Ashutosh Raj (@ashutoshrajssk4) July 30, 2019
Congratulations! Rasagola has received GI Tag in Geographical Indication Registry. It is part of our odia tradition and offered to Sri Jagannath as part of bhog since centuries. #Rasagola pic.twitter.com/h1SafhtZku
— Ranjib Biswal (@RanjibBiswal) July 29, 2019
Great day for all odias.
Proud Odia.#Rasagola #OdishaRasagolla #Odisha pic.twitter.com/RdW1WW43it— Kalyani Bhagwani (@bhagwanikalyani) July 29, 2019
Given the documented links to 12th century Shri Jagannath temple where Lord offers #Rasagola to Maa Lakshmi for entering to temple after Rath Jatra,it was imperative of #Odisha getting the GI tag for it’s Rasagola n fairly settling debate on origin of rasagola.Congratulations all pic.twitter.com/qGIaaqtGst
— dshH💤 (@_43mem0r) July 29, 2019
Happy that #Odisha Rasagola gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag, gets registered as 'Odisha Rasagola' under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
A Rasagola treat for all Odiyas!#Rasagola pic.twitter.com/WnC5URqrLU— Achyuta Samanta (@achyuta_samanta) July 29, 2019
Now, this sweet news definitely calls for a Rasagola treat!