Rasabali is a cottage cheese-based dessert of Odisha.
"Kendrapara Rasabali" has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
When I first started working for this GI, I looked for the spelling of this word- Rasabali- not only in English, but in Odia also.
As "Rasavali" too is derived from Sanskrit, and there the letter "v" is used instead of "b".
Rasavali was born in the temple of Baldev Ji in Kendrapara. It is a delicious dessert. It is a famous food all over Odisha. It has a long history of being born in Odisha and it is an Oriya food. It can make the world famous as an Oriya food by getting the GI tag#saveodiafood pic.twitter.com/a1g20SLuNP
— 💖Odia food & sweets💖 (@_odia_food_) March 2, 2022
When I first consulted with scholars and language experts, those with a strong Sanskrit background advocated the usage of "Rasavali" in the name.
However, the usage of "b" i.e. Rasabali is more common in Odia.
Many of the sellers are already using - "Rasabali" as the name.
As we must be true to our local spelling and name, being "vocal for local", we settled for "Rasabali."
The name of "Kendrapara" was also discussed and went ahead with "Kendrapara" as the district name is - Kendrapara (and not Kendrapada).
These blog posts have more about our Rasabali GI outreach-
http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html
http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/09/does-rasabali-have-hole-like-doughnut.html
https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/10/kendrapara-rasabali-gi-tag-of-odisha.html
After my facilitation for the "Kendrapara Rasabali" GI and despite personally informing the stakeholders multiple times about the need for "correct representation", it was disappointing to find that the GI application had been submitted and the logo had been applied that too with the wrong information and spellings of product, applicants, place etc -
Recently, the Bargarh Handloom Summit 2024 was held at Bargarh, Odisha.
Actress Dia Mirza was the guest.
She wore a beautiful Bomkai saree.
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| Source |
Truly proud to share that 7 Odisha products have been registered as Geographical Indications (GIs)
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Some other GIs registered today belong to states like- Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir & West Bengal and their latest registered GI products such as - Arunachal Pradesh Wancho Wooden Craft etc, Kachchhi Desi Kharek, Ramban Anardana & Kalonunia Rice etc. respectively.
All these are now GIs- "Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India".
GIs are always a matter of great pride and prestige for our nation.
As a grassroots GI worker, proud to have initially suggested some of the brand-new registered Odisha GIs for filing.
Had mentioned some GI names in my talk during a panel discussion held at Bhubaneswar on Makar Sankranti, January 14, Rasagola Mahotsav 2019, organised by Tarang Music and Odisha Television (OTV) group-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TysPkOx3Thc
Watch from 49:05-50:05 and I have shared the names of some potential Odisha GI products including-
Kendrapara Rasabali has earned the GI Tag yesterday, i.e. on 3rd October, 2023.
You can read more about it on my blog post here-
http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html
Yes, a proud moment for our Odisha state & nation.🎊
Bomkai is an exclusive handloom product of Odisha.
"Bomkai Saree & Fabrics" have the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
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| Bomkai Saree- Source: Utkalamrita |
The Saree's name is Bomkai as it has originated in the Bomkai village of Ganjam district of Odisha.
However, now Bomkai Sarees are being mostly handwoven in the Sonepur district of Odisha.
Thus, they are being called "Sonepuri" Sarees.
Rasabali is a traditional Chhena sweet of Odisha.
It is a bhoga/offering at Shree Baladevjew Temple, Kendrapara, Odisha.
As a part of the ongoing month-long promotional program by NCHMCT in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism on regional cuisine, IHM Bhubaneswar presents the traditional regional cuisine - 'Rasabali' a sweet dish from Odisha!#SkillDevelopment #CulinaryFest pic.twitter.com/i8tB1DrgaM
— Ministry of Tourism (@tourismgoi) August 17, 2023
More information about Kendrapara Rasabali here-
http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html
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| Source: Mobile News |
By now, many are aware that the Geographical Indication (GI) application for "Kendrapara Rasabali" has been submitted and it will earn the GI tag shortly.
It is heartening to see the interest regarding Geographical Indication (GI) now in Odisha.
I saw a couple of social media posts sharing about the upcoming GIs like- Kendrapara Rasabali.
Having done the initial facilitation of this GI, it gives me great pride and happiness.
In fact, just like the Utkal Mistanna Byabasyee Sangha for Odisha Rasagola GI, the producer-group - "Kendrapara Rasabali Mistanna Nirmata Sangha" was formed after my suggestion, guidance and constant follow-up.
It may be noted that the GI tag for Odisha Rasagola has informed and inspired many producer-groups to also earn GIs for their own local products.
After receiving query from a local writer, Shri Saroj Mohanty, regarding Kendrapara Rasabali GI in 2020, I had created a WhatsApp group to facilitate the process. Some stakeholders had been added by the Admins that also included Shri Mohanty. Rasabali GI information was being continuously shared in the group.
GI Application was filed in December 2021.
The main product-description about Rasabali in the GI application has been taken from the initial 3 lines shared in my blog post (published on July 2020)-
http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html
Yes, my Blog- "The Explorer of Miracles" finds mention in the Kendrapara Rasabali GI application.
"Patachitra is the cloth scroll painting tradition from Odisha, dedicated to mythological and religious themes in Indian art. Bold, strong outlines, vibrant colours like white, red, yellow and black with decorative borders."Apart from cloth & other materials, a locally-prepared canvas called Pata/Patta is also used for this amazing art style.
UK-based marathon-runner Odia woman, Ms Madhusmita Jena Das, ran the Manchester Marathon dressed in a traditional Khandua Saree last Sunday i.e. on 16th April 2023.
Her marathon participation images and videos are now viral. She has earned praise for her beautiful traditional Khandua silk Saree that she had worn while participating in the Manchester Marathon.
Misrepresentation of Her Saree
Those who have followed this news or search it online will find that- the name of her saree has been shared by most as “Sambalpuri”.
Sambalpuri is a type of Bandha Kala or art of tie-and-dye i.e. Ikat handloom being woven in some districts of western Odisha, India.
However, Madhusmita Jena Das’s saree is not a Sambalpuri Saree.
Rather, it is a Khandua Saree.
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| Source: The News Insight on Twitter- https://twitter.com/TNITweet/status/1649012126525054977?s=20 |
India has a rich cultural heritage.
Each state has regional specialties.
There are many traditional products and local goods associated under various categories-
1. Agricultural
2. Food Stuffs
3. Handicrafts
4. Manufactured
5. Natural
India has many registered "Geographical Indications" - GIs under the above five categories.
India has hundreds of registered GIs.
All these products are unique and special.
Some products are famous, others are yet to be known.
CGPDTM- Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks is conducting a Public Poll:
"Most liked Geographical Indication of India".
This is under the DPIIT- Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India.
All can participate & select their choice under the given 5 categories.
The annual Budget session in India (and in other parts of the globe too) is keenly awaited, analyzed, and discussed. Many eager eyes are glued to the screens. Experts and media, sharing the views of all categories, are consulted and represented. Popular newspapers, especially business dailies, are referred and quoted.
Let us take a leading financial daily, The Economic Times (ET), for example. ET has published many articles about the Budget. Many non-subscribers also purchase copies of the newspapers to better understand the Budget.
Even the quotes used by the Finance Minister in her Budget speech find discussion-
In her shortest-ever Budget speech, Nirmala
Sitharaman invokes ‘Mahabharata’, says tax collection in line with ‘dharma’ :
While the current Budget’s speech quote references are written about, past Budget quotes are also shared as has been done in the news reports published this year.
Recently, Kalinga TV, a leading news channel of Odisha, aired a special programme about Rasagola in its Kalinga Swatantra show (on 27th November 2021 and repeat on 28th and 29th November 2021).
The show's title is in Odia - "Rasagola Kahuchhi Mu Odia".
In English, it means- "Rasagola says I'm Odia."
The show is about the Rasagola origin issue following the Twitter trend #RasagolaDibasa, and also about the Odisha Rasagola Geographical Indication (GI) application and registration. Kalinga TV has documented the views of some stakeholders- historians, authors, researchers, general public, and Rasagola shop owners and sellers, who all have shared about Rasagola's antiquity and association with Odisha.
Some of the personalities, who have been interviewed, and have shared their views in the video are- Prof Pushpesh Pant, Dr. Bhaskar Mishra, Dr. Sarat Kumar Mohanty, Shri Bhakta Tripathy, Shri Santosh Sahu, Dr. Asit Mohanty, Shri Bimbadhar Behera, Shri Satyabrat Mohanty, Shri Manoj Patra, Ms. Saipriya... and yours truly.
It has been uploaded yesterday on YouTube-
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"
#Rasagola & #DahiRasagola are a part of 115 varieties of bhoga of Shree Jagannath Temple-https://t.co/Rv1WSIrDHQ
— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) July 19, 2019
On #RasagolaDibasa, Dr. Bhaskar Mishra answered my Qn: When is Dahi Rasagola offered?
Video courtesy: @TaraniTrotter
@ StateArchives, Bhubaneswar,Odisha🇮🇳@bbsrbuzz pic.twitter.com/53TUWvBGxU
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!
I had shared this comment in @ZeeNews @YouTube @YouTubeIndia channel today.
— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 2, 2021
I can no longer find it.
Isn't this a clear case of hiding/suppressing #Rasgulla truth?
Why are you building fake narrative & peddling lies? #fakenews @sudhirchaudhary @ZeeNewsSudhir @zeenewseditor pic.twitter.com/7CPXK5lXke
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.
Dear #media & intellectuals,
— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 16, 2021
Plz #EndRasgullaDebate.
Literary evidence proves- word Rasagola exists in 15th Century Odia Ramayana.
Continuing cultural tradition of Puri #RathYatra.
High time truth about Rasgulla is known #Blog-https://t.co/bDPa5VSQou https://t.co/H8v44ntr5e
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
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
L- List of Lunar & Solar Indian New Year Days
M- Maha Bishuba Sankranti Or Pana Sankranti
N- Name 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
S- Rasgulla Songs- Odia Songs Dedicated To Rasagola
T- Text-books, Torture, And Rasgulla GI Tag
U- Uniform Spelling And Authorised Users of Rasagola
V- Valuable Victorious Virtue - Valour
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.
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.
“Followers will never know how hard the leader tries to create a path.”#MondayMotivation #mondaythoughts #quoteoftheday
— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) June 29, 2020
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists..when his work is done,his aim fulfilled,they will all say: We did it ourselves”
—Lao-Tzu, philosopher pic.twitter.com/jwfzkCXDO1
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-
Have you heard this song of @rapperbigdeal ?
— wear a mask. covid kills 😷 (@1_theDash) September 17, 2020
ଆପଣ ଏହି ଗୀତ ଶୁଣିଛନ୍ତି କି? @mte2o
This specific line on “Let them know #Rasagola is from Odisha” have a different fan base @_ChronicCruiser @neegam_kumar @debiprasadss @ruchipanigrahi @shai_bal @priyabrat3 @ashutosh_odisha pic.twitter.com/2FKHbW0jYW
