Friday 30 April 2021

Zest for Rasagola And Zero Reference #RasagolaA2Z

All these years, it has been terrible to spot fake news and misinformation regarding Rasgulla i.e. Rasagola. The propaganda still continues. 

The choice is- either to simply watch or to do something to change the wrong perception.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. -Ralph Waldo Emerson"
Zest means- a feeling of enjoyment, excitement, and enthusiasm.
Zeal means- great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

Our zeal and zest for Rasagola and belief in Shree Jagannatha has kept our hope alive that the truth- Odisha is the land of invention of the Rasagola & Rasagola has centuries-old association with the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha- will triumph one day.

Zero Association

Despite being the birthplace of Rasagola, Odisha used to have zero association or top-of-mind-recall when it came to Rasgulla. 

Even today, what will most people answer when asked- "Which place is famous for Rasagola?"

Thursday 29 April 2021

YouTube, Rasgulla Videos, And Comments #RasagolaA2Z

Rasgulla is a Hindi word that is used all over India and abroad to refer to the 'king of sweets' i.e. Rasagola and its multiple spellings.

A simple search for Rasagola on the popular video-sharing website, YouTube, gives many search-results most of which describe it as a "Bengali sweet".

After Odisha earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Odisha Rasagola, there were far fewer videos dedicated to it, than when Bengal had earned GI tag for Banglar Rasogolla.


Some of the videos have incorrect information that- Bengal had earned tag for Rasgulla, while Odisha has earned tag for Rasagola!

Note- Bengal has GI tag for Banglar Rasogolla, while Odisha has GI tag for Odisha Rasagola.


The problem is that once a video is posted, it cannot be updated, and it is hardly removed.

A fresh one with updated content ought to be posted.

But, even if a video with correct information is uploaded, the previous video with fake news has already reached many and created the (un)desired incorrect impression. Establishing truth is a challenge as it is extremely tough to change pre-set attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge.

Viewers can post comments and share correct information. Luckily, the responsible and trusted media house has allowed this writer's comment to exist on their site till today-


In many cases, if a viewer points out the misinformation, the account-holders delete the comments! 

The above is not a solitary example.

This has happened many times with this author as many YouTube comments on Rasagola videos have been removed. Having become smarter over time, it makes sense to keep screenshots of comments after posting.

Truly appreciate Twitter where such non-offensive comments can get a life, while YouTube creators can delete and kill the truth.

Such actions are an evidence of their propaganda. Had their intentions been honest, they would have apologized and stated that they would take care in the future videos. Or else, not say a word, but update their video description. If not any of these, at least allow the informative comment to exist so that other viewers can also read and learn. 

Requesting all content-creators to please endeavour to share correct and unbiased information based on proper research.

Please do not be irresponsible to spread misinformation and propaganda in YouTube videos.

Remember that all this digital presence will last forever, and continue to misguide, misinform, and mislead, and strengthen fake news.

Why not make an attempt to discover and share the facts so that all are informed and aware?

This is not only about Rasgulla, but also about all other topics.

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

Y For- YouTube

I am writing A-Z posts about Rasagola26 #RasagolaA2Z posts this April :

A- A To Z of Rasagola - April 1- Utkala Dibasa

B- Blatant Lies And Biased Reports About Rasgulla Invention

C- Cottage-Cheese, Chhena And Comments About Rasgulla

D- Rasgulla Day - Rasagola Dibasa Celebration

E- Odisha Rasagola At Exhibitions And Events

F- Facts, Fake News, And False Information About Rasgulla

G- GI Tags of Odisha And Odisha Rasagola

H- Historical Evidence of Rasgulla And Research

I- Indigenous Knowledge, IPR, Rasgulla And Indian Sweets

J- Lord Jagannatha's Favourite Sweet & Food

K- Khirmohan And Rasagola

L- List of Lunar & Solar Indian New Year Days

M- Maha Bishuba Sankranti Or Pana Sankranti

NName Rasgulla, Niladri Bije And New Year Wishes

O- Odisha Art And Sweet- Pattachitra And Rasgulla 

P- Proposal to Odisha Government For Rasagola And GI Celebration

QQuiz About Rasgulla 

RRasabali And Rasagola

SRasgulla Songs- Odia Songs Dedicated To Rasagola 

TText-books, Torture, And Rasgulla GI Tag

UUniform Spelling And Authorised Users of Rasagola

VValuable Victorious Virtue - Valour

W- Wikipedia, Rasgulla War, Wife And Husband Fight

X- EXperts And Rasgulla And GI Tag

This sincere attempt is to share information about Rasagola/Rasgulla and #EndRasgullaDebate.
Rasagola is a part of Odisha's traditional knowledge, continuing tradition, cultural heritage and identity.  
More Rasagola posts here.
This is my fifth #A2Z Challenge, and my last four challenges have been about Odisha, India. 
Are you aware of Rasagola/Rasgulla? Did you know that Rasgulla originated in Odisha? 

Please do share any information about Rasgulla that you may have and which you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware. 

Post-Cyclone Retreat

Lini had inherited the same plot of land where she and her grandfather had planted lot of trees.

It was now a mini dense forest that had many memories.

There was a freshwater lake in the premises.

"Implement your ideas, my star!" her grandfather often encouraged.

Photo Prompt- Miranda Kate
 

Lini wanted the area to be 'The Retreat Next Door'. 

Wednesday 28 April 2021

EXperts And Rasgulla And GI Tag #RasagolaA2Z

This post is about "My Experience With some Experts" regarding Odisha Rasagola GI tag.


April 26th is World Intellectual Property (IP) Day.

Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of IP.

This writer has been attempting to share information and create awareness regarding GI. 

A few days ago, it was shocking to see an "expert" still (mis)using the word "Patent" instead of "GI".

Like GI, Patent too is a type of IP. 

Despite this writer having shared much information regarding GI over the past couple of years, and this particular expert also being a part of the group that has been constantly bombarded with GI info, the said expert still continued using the word "patent" while discussing Odisha Rasagola GI tag on an Odia news channel!


Tuesday 27 April 2021

Wikipedia, Rasgulla War, Wife And Husband Fight #RasagolaA2Z

 Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a popular website that is consulted by many to refer to and check information.
But, misleading and wrong information published and available there, gets further impetus when quoted, shared and propagated.

This has happened in the case of the dessert Rasgulla i.e. Rasagola.
While the Wikipedia entry regarding this 'king of sweets' earlier (prior to 2015) showed Odisha as the place of origin as the sweet, the present Wiki article, after many edits and revisions over the years, now has incorrect information.

In the last couple of years, especially from 2015 when Odisha celebrated the Rasagola Dibasa i.e. Rasgulla Day, there has been propaganda and wrong information even in leading newspapers. Such sources have been cited as references for many articles published in Wikipedia.

Note- Rasagola has always been called Rasagola in the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.

Sunday 25 April 2021

Valuable Victorious Virtue- Valour #RasagolaA2Z

Valour is great courage in the fact of danger, especially in battle. 

Courage is the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation.

Courage is to stand up with and for what is right-

To voluntarily join the battle/war & take up the fight.

Courage is aiming to be victor, immersing in war/battle-

Not “burying your head”, “watching the fun”, or belittle.

To fight with valour, though opposition has might.

Not be disheartened or lose the goal-post in sight.

Courage is to create path, swim against the tide, or wade,

It's courage when you are voluble & call a spade a spade. 

Saturday 24 April 2021

Uniform Spelling And Authorised Users Of Odisha Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

The word Rasgulla is spelled in many different ways in India. 

There is no uniformity though the Hindi word "Rasgulla" is more commonly used. The pronunciation too depends on the spelling.

Actually, even Odisha state's name, language and dance- Odisha, Odia and Odissi are constantly being misspelled by all, including those in power. 

Is it too tough to take care and spell correctly?
Spelling someone's name right is also ensuring and showing love, respect, and care.

At least Rasagola must be spelled the same all across the state of Odisha.
This writer has been trying to explain this to the producer groups, government officials, intellectuals, social media users, and all. 
More in this blog post- #RasagolaDibasa - Spelling Is Rasagola 

Initiating #RasagolaDibasa i.e. Hashtag - "Rasagola Dibasa" online, apart from informing all that Odisha is the birthplace of the Rasagola and Niladri Bije is a centuries-old continuing tradition of Rath Yatra, was an attempt to stress on our Rasagola spelling too.

Why is Rasagola still being allowed to be spelled in so many different ways? 
Even after celebrating #RasagolaDibasa online for the last couple of years starting 2015, and despite eminent sand-artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik creating amazing sand-art with "Rasagola Dibasa" prominently mentioned, why do some people distort our Rasagola's spelling and even use different hashtag by changing the spelling of Dibasa to Divas or Diwas or Divasa etc?

Friday 23 April 2021

Text-books, Torture, And Rasgulla GI Tag #RasagolaA2Z

Rasgulla, being the 'king of sweets', is a favourite sweet and popular treat for many.

Rasgulla makes its rich presence felt in many occasions, events, and celebrations.

But, before 2015, when we celebrated #RasagolaDibasa online, very few even associated Odisha with Rasagola.

Ever wonder why and how is it that Odisha is never the top-of-mind recall when Rasgulla is discussed?

Text-Books

Rasgulla finds generous mention in the text-books.

My friend, Smt. Sujata Padhy, informed me that her daughter's text-book has a question about Rasgulla. I requested her to share a photograph of the said question. 

She sent the following image of the said page from her daughter's Std III Social Studies text-book:


I have been researching about Rasagola for long and have been thinking a lot about what is being taught, especially after finding more such questions and text from text-books-

Thursday 22 April 2021

Rasgulla Songs - Odia Songs Dedicated To Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

Despite being the birthplace of Rasagola, Odisha did not have many songs dedicated to Rasagola. 
However, thanks to our celebration of #RasagolaDibasa online from 2015 onwards, the "Rasgulla debate/controversy" was sparked, and now there are many songs in honour of this sweet delicacy.
Rasgulla songs have not only been created in Odia language, but in many other languages of India also. 

Just do a simple search for Rasgulla songs on Google/YouTube. How many results can you find?

The activism and advocacy for Rasagola Dibasa celebration and for Odisha Rasagola Geographical Indication (GI) tag resulted in some creative song and music endeavour. 
Some of them are shared below:

1) Rasagola Song 

Rapper Big Deal included Rasagola in his rap song.
From 2015, this writer has been contacting stakeholders and eminent personalities of different fields and sensitizing them about the Rasagola issue and requesting for support for representation of Rasagola and Odisha in the media. 
Audio visual media like songs, documentaries, movies etc. have a great impact. 

Wednesday 21 April 2021

Rasabali And Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

Odisha has many sweets and treats.

Most people are yet to be introduced to the rich cuisine of Odisha.

Odisha has many sweets starting with the word- Rasa.

You can learn more about them in this post- Rasa, Rasakora, Rasabara, And Rasagola in Odia 

Rasabali and Rasagola are traditional sweets of Odisha that are prepared using cottage-cheese i.e. chhena. They have been offered as bhog/prasad for centuries at important temples namely- Shree Baladevjew Temple, Kendrapara, & Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.

But, many are yet to taste these Odia sweets.

As this writer has been constantly stressing, we need to promote these by ensuring branding and uniform spelling all across-

Rasabali (not Rasavali or Rasaballi etc.) & Rasagola (not Rasogolla or Rosogolla etc.)

Breaking News

The ‘Breaking News’ confirmed about alien-invasion.

Photo Prompt- David Stewart

No one could explain how so many fluorescent eggs had landed.

CCTV footage showed an UFO.

The mysterious UFO was undetected by any radar.

What would the eggs hatch into? Was this a plan to takeover our planet?


Lini was startled to see the uncanny news.

Tuesday 20 April 2021

Quiz About Rasgulla #RasagolaA2Z

Many Quiz books have the correct information that- Odisha is the birthplace of Rasgulla/Rasagola.  

Here is one of the questions of the first Odisha Quiz that I had conducted on Twitter in 2014-

How many answers you know about the "King of Sweets"- Rasgulla?

It is called "Rasagola" in Odisha.

Let us check your RQ- Rasagola Quotient :)

Questions:

Q1- Odisha Rasagola has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019- 

A) True

B) False 

Q2- Name the place in Odisha where Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik, sand-artist, has created these sand art-

Monday 19 April 2021

Proposal To Odisha Government For Rasagola And GI Celebration #RasagolaA2Z

We have been celebrating Rasagola Dibasa on Social Media on Niladri Bije starting 2015.
July 30, 2015 was the Niladri Bije of the Nabakalebara Ratha Jatra.
This year 2021 will mark the 7th celebration.

There were many developments after our maiden Rasagola Dibasa celebration online. (Many people didn't even know about Niladri Bije till then.) 
It was encouraging to see the action following earnest request for Geographical Indication (GI) application for Odisha Rasagola.
For some intellectuals, GI tag did/does not matter and some find/found it - "amusing to see netizens being vocal about GI tag just because of some sort of ill-reasoned vanity & self admiration." 

It was wonderful that our advocacy for Odisha Rasagola GI Tag was rewarded.

Saturday 17 April 2021

Odisha Art And Sweet- Pattachitra And Rasgulla #RasagolaA2Z

Pattachitra is a traditional fine-art of Odisha

Like Rasagola, Pattachitra too is linked with Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha, India. 
The word Pata comes from the Sanskrit word "Patta" meaning “a piece of cloth” and "Chitra" meaning "painting". 

Niladri Bije is celebrated as Rasgulla Day i.e. #RasagolaDibasa.

As per the centuries-old continuing tradition of Puri Temple, Lord Jagannath offers Rasagolas (Rasgullas) to appease His wife, Devi Laxmi. Also, each year, on this last day of Rath Yatra, the devotees offer Rasagolas to the deities.

Friday 16 April 2021

Name Rasgulla, Niladri Bije, And New Year Wishes #RasagolaA2Z

Name - Rasgulla , Rasagola, Rasgolla, Rasogolla, Rosogolla, Roshogulla...

The definition of Name as per the Merriam Webster Dictionary-

Definition of name-

1aa word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
ba word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
2a descriptive often disparaging epithet
ban illustrious record FAME
ca person or thing with a reputation
4FAMILYCLAN
5appearance as opposed to reality
6one referred to by a name

Whenever the name Rasagola / Rasgulla  or any of its myriad spellings/pronunciation comes up, most people instantly think of one eastern state of India and its capital city.

Have you ever wondered how and why is it so? 

That is the top-of-mind recall. People are not aware about the true place of origin- Rasagola is the Sweet Treat of Odisha. 

The misinformation cycle continues.

Very few know the reality about Rasagola name and origin. The word 'Rasagola' exists in 15th Century Odia Ramayana (when Calcutta city where Rasgulla is believed to have been "invented in 1868" did not even exist.) 

Name Rasagola was coined in Odisha that has many desserts, dishes and other words starting with Rasa like Rasakora, Rasabara, Rasabali, Rasakhai, Rasaphena, Rasmalai, Rasagola and many more.

Rasagola still plays an important role in Rath Yatra celebration. Thus, it is a Sweet Yatra.

Rasagola is as old as the Rath Yatra.

Thursday 15 April 2021

Maha Bishuba Sankranti or Pana Sankranti And Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

April 14th is the Maha Bishuba Sankranti.

It is celebrated as the Odia New Year. It is also called- Pana Sankranti.

Art by- Shri Rabindra Kumar Maharana

Many regions of India celebrate their New Year around this time. More information in the previous post-
List of Lunar And Solar Indian New Year Days.

In Odisha and in Odia households, a special drink called Pana is prepared and available on Pana Sankranti. 

Pana offered in glasses & containers; PC- Shared on WhatsApp

Wednesday 14 April 2021

List of Lunar And Solar Indian New Year Days #RasagolaA2Z

Our country is celebrating the Hindu new year festivals now. In our vast country, famous for its diversity, many days are celebrated as the New Year Days in different parts. The observance is based on the calendar followed by the region- whether lunar or solar calendar.

For the regions that follow the Solar calendar, the new year falls in the month of Vaishakha or April in calendar:

- Baisakhi in North and Central India, 

- Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu in Assam, 

- Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, 

- Vishu in Kerala, 

- Pana Sankranti in Odisha (celebrated in Chaitra month)

- Poila Boishakh in Bengal 

For the regions that follow Lunar calendar, the new year is celebrated on the first day in the month of Chaitra (corresponding to March-April):

Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka 

Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. 

In many parts of India, New Year Celebrations begin in the spring.

Please refer to this webpage for the full list of lunar and solar Indian New Year Days along with the usual dates for celebration.

Today, April 14th is the Odia Nababarsa i.e. the Odia New Year, also called Mahabishuba Sankranti or Pana Sankranti.

A delicious refreshing drink called Pana is prepared. 

Source

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Khirmohan And Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

On July 30 2015, FOLLOWING OUR RASAGOLA DIBASA / RASGULLA DAY MAIDEN CELEBRATION ONLINE, #RASAGOLADIBASA TRENDED, AND THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES regarding RASGULLA "ORIGIN".

Though we had started the Rasgulla Day celebration on social media to #EndRasgullaDebate, yet even today, misinformation regarding Chhena and Rasgulla "invention" continues.
This is just one of the YouTube videos on the topic. 
Many erroneously believe- Rosogolla/Rasgulla belongs to Bengal; Khiramohana belongs to Odisha! 
They are yet to know that- Rasagola and NOT Khirmohan/Khiramohana is the bhog/prasad on Niladri Bije of Rath Yatra.
Bhitarachha Mohapatra is the sebaka of the Shree Jagannatha Temple, who prepares Rasagola for the said ritual. Two years ago, when this writer asked him about Khiramohana, he expressed his ignorance and said that he hadn't even heard of the word!

Owing to the incorrect information available online, there are many myths about Khirmohan and Rasgulla. Here are a few-

Myth 1. 'Khiramohana' "WAS" offered to Shree Jagannatha in the Puri Temple.

Truth- Nothing called 'Khiramohana' was or ever has been a part of the dishes served in the Puri Temple. 


Myth 2. Khiramohana was the original name of Rasagola offered in the Puri Temple. 

Truth- As per centuries-old continuing tradition, servitors have been offering original 'Rasagola' (and NOT Khiramohana) in the Puri Temple. 


Myth 3. The word 'Rasagola' was first coined and used in Bengal; Odisha copied it from Bengal.

Truth- The word 'Rasagola' finds mention in centuries-old texts like the Odia Ramayana dating to the 15th Century when Bengal's capital city didn't even exist! Rasagola's link with Odisha is as ancient as the Rath Yatra of Puri, Odisha.


Myth 4. Name 'Rasagola' started to be used instead of 'Khiramohana' in the Puri Temple. 

Truth- Name 'Khiramohana' was never used in the Puri Temple. Niladri Bije is a continuing tradition from centuries. Each year on the last day of the Rath Yatra, Rasagolas are offered to pacify Goddess Lakshmi and to the deities. 


Myth 5. Khiramohana is brown. Brown coloured sweet is offered in the Puri Temple.

Truth- The Rasagola offered on Niladri Bije, the last day of the Ratha Jatra, is white.

PC: @manojmishratwit- Twitter

Monday 12 April 2021

Lord Jagannatha's Favourite Sweet And Food #RasagolaA2Z

Puri Dhaam or Jagannatha Dhaam is one of the Chaar Dhaam- four holiest places of visit for Hindus.
Lord Jagannatha is the Lord of the Universe.
Puri is called the Bhoga Kshetra as this is the place where the Lord eats.

That explains the vast variety of dishes and foods offered to Shree Jagannatha at the Puri Temple.
The Shree Jagannatha Temple at Puri has one of the largest kitchens in the world and serves thousands of devotees. 
This 12th Century Temple is also called Shreemandira. 'Shree' means Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Devi Lakshmi cooks the food. 

People think that "Chhappan Bhog" (56 dishes/offerings) are available and served; however, the number of dishes is much more in number than 56. 

Earlier, I always thought that Rasagola (Rasgulla) is Shree Jagannatha's favourite sweet.

Like Rasagola, many sweets and dishes of Odisha like Chhenapoda are made using cottage-cheese i.e. Chhena.
In 2016, while researching to write a blog about 'Chhenapoda - Uncommon Food', I came across some reports that stated that Chhenapoda is Lord Jagannatha's favourite sweet.
(From L to R)- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra & Lord Jagannath

Indigenous Knowledge, IPR, Rasgulla And Indian Sweets #RasagolaA2Z

IN 2015, FOLLOWING OUR RASAGOLA DIBASA / RASGULLA DAY MAIDEN CELEBRATION ONLINE ON JULY 30, #RASAGOLADIBASA TRENDED AND THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES ABOUT RASGULLA "ORIGIN". 

That was the purpose of our celebration - to end the Rasgulla debate and controversy and settle it in the favour of truth and research i.e. in Odisha's favour.
However, even today, there is much misinformation regarding Chhena and Rasgulla "invention" both on internet and offline.
Rasgulla is just thought to be synonymous with another state and its capital city, and not Odisha. Searches on internet reveal the ignorance. Odisha is still not being given any credit for Rasgulla despite being this dessert's birthplace.
Source: Twitter
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