Do you know that Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture earned the GI (Geographical Indications) tag on Children's Day this year?
Yes, on the same day when Banglar Rasogolla earned the GI tag!
One of the newspapers of India had found this news important enough to be reported on 14th November 2017. A few others reported the same news the next day.
Sweet Fake News On Children's Day
But, in stark contrast, on 14th November 2017, most news channels and media-houses focused on the news that West Bengal had won the GI tag for 'ROSOGOLLA/RASGULLA'!
Why the special status and attention to Rasagola?
All of them reported that Bengal has won the Rosogolla war against Odisha. Most of them spread misleading & fake news.
From the news-reports, netizens and viewers inferred that 'Odisha has lost' and 'Odisha's claim for Rosogolla has been rejected' by the authorities of the GI Registry.
How Odisha's claim has been rejected when the state has NOT submitted her application towards GI tag for Rasagola?
But, the readers and viewers were given incorrect gyaan:
Yes, on the same day when Banglar Rasogolla earned the GI tag!
One of the newspapers of India had found this news important enough to be reported on 14th November 2017. A few others reported the same news the next day.
Sweet Fake News On Children's Day
But, in stark contrast, on 14th November 2017, most news channels and media-houses focused on the news that West Bengal had won the GI tag for 'ROSOGOLLA/RASGULLA'!
Why the special status and attention to Rasagola?
All of them reported that Bengal has won the Rosogolla war against Odisha. Most of them spread misleading & fake news.
From the news-reports, netizens and viewers inferred that 'Odisha has lost' and 'Odisha's claim for Rosogolla has been rejected' by the authorities of the GI Registry.
How Odisha's claim has been rejected when the state has NOT submitted her application towards GI tag for Rasagola?
But, the readers and viewers were given incorrect gyaan:
Bengal's Gain Is Not Odisha's LossFinally a decision, rosogolla belongs to Bengal, not Odisha— NDTV (@ndtv) November 14, 2017
Read: https://t.co/SXvCkt4h04 pic.twitter.com/pZlqF9cDq9
The next day, some papers reported that GI authorities had stated that Odisha can also apply for a tag.
Though some papers presented updated news, yet some information was wrong or kept hidden.
Note- Pahala Rasagola is not the only variety of Rasagola available in Odisha and it's not just brown, as it is available in off-white colour too!
Plus, as per the GI authorities, despite the Banglar Rasogolla GI tag, the Rasagola origin debate is yet to be settled.Odisha’s Pahala rasgulla is different from the Banglar rasogolla; it is brown, soft and not spongy, and usually has a thinner syrup. #FPTrending #Rasgulla #Rasogolla pic.twitter.com/E6gRLWC3LO— Firstpost (@firstpost) November 15, 2017
Chill! Rasagola belongs to India & to the Mouth & Stomach!
When anyone tries to question the incorrect news-reporting and stresses on the uncomfortable truth, conflict-managers & peace-lovers step in to dissipate tensions and to spread cheer saying there's no reason for a war!
"Rasagola tastes as good in all the states!"
"Rasagola doesn't belong to any state, it's an Indian sweet!"
"Rasagola belongs only to the mouth & stomach!"
Why the special status and attention to Rasagola?
If GI wasn't important, hundreds of applications wouldn't have been submitted for GI registration by the states so far.
Subsequent to West Bengal's products including Banglar Rasogolla, a number of products from Bihar and Rajasthan have also earned the GI tag.
Loopholes in the Banglar Rasogolla Application
There are some loopholes in the GI Application that Odisha can challenge.
The Rasagola Project
As per some news-reports, there seems to be no intention to challenge the Banglar Rasogolla GI tag. Can a project ensure that the truth comes to light?
#RasagolaProject ??!*#!??
