Sweet Success

Sweet Success

Context:

• West Bengal has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) for “Banglar Rasogolla” (Bengal rasogolla).
• In the backdrop, Odisha claims the origin of the sweet.

What is the debate between Odisha and West Bengal about?  

• For long there has been a tussle between Odisha and West Bengal about the origins of the Rasagulla.
• The battle between Odisha and West Bengal began in the year 2015 when it was pointed out that the origin of the sweet rosagolla existed for about 600 years and that it was originated in Puri.
• In response to this, the West Bengal government quoted 19th century history to claim that rosogolla was invented by Nabin Chandra Das, a popular sweetmeat maker in the year 1868.
• Finally, the debate has been settled in favour of West Bengal.
• The decision has been made under the GI Act that authenticates products to either geographical locations or to communities or societies.

What is the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999?

• GI Act is an Act of the Parliament of India for protection of geographical indications in India.
• India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Act to comply with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
• The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.

What is a Geographical indication?

• A geographical indication (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).
• The use of a geographical indication may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.