Thursday, 30 April 2020

Registered Proprietors And Authorised Users of Geographical Indications (GIs) #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI

A Geographical Indication certificate/tag is used to identify goods having unique or special characteristics and originating from a definite geographical area.

In December 1999, Parliament passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and protection of Geographical Indications relating to goods in India. This Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry is located at Chennai.

About Geographical Indication (GI)
GI is an indication that:
·  Is used to identify agricultural, natural, or manufactured goods originating in a specific area,
·  Originates from a definite territory in India (or world),
·  Has a special quality or characteristics unique to the geographical indication.
Sambalpuri Bandha Saree - GI of Odisha, India
Some examples of Geographical Indications of India:
Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics, Nagpur Orange, Odisha Rasagola etc.

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Those Were The Days

Richi was showing her photographs to her grandchildren.
They saw many people were sitting and eating. The younger version of their grandmother was also there.

"Now where is this place? Looks like you are celebrating your birthday!" 

"These places are called 'restaurants'. When I was young, we used to have many such places to hang-out and enjoy food and drinks."
PHOTO PROMPT - Dale Rogerson
The kids looked at one another. 

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Exciting Quiz On Geographical Indications #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

April 26 is celebrated as World Intellectual Property (IP) Day.
Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of IP.
GIs are the "invaluable treasures of incredible India".
However, many are not aware of these unique local products.

We must encourage everyone to learn about the heritage and culture and associated products of our land. How can youngsters take pride in our rich possessions and skills, unless they know about the existence of these unique products? Intention for using the GI products and demand will arise after people learn about them and feel responsible to protect, promote and preserve these.

To create GI awareness and interest, here is a #GIQuiz. Please do share so that all can be aware.

Those with the maximum correct answers and participation get to win xenium (prizes)!


_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________

Monday, 27 April 2020

Gopalpur Tussar #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Let us start with a quiz question: 

Answer- Gopalpur cluster of Jajpur district of Odisha is famous for Tussar fabrics. 
Tussar is a type of silk. 

There is another famous place by the same name Gopalpur- but, Gopalpur-on-Sea refers to a picturesque beach town located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. This place is near the 'silk city' of Odisha that is famous for the Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree And Joda.

Friday, 24 April 2020

Sambalpuri Bandha Saree And Fabrics #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Odisha has a rich tradition and history of handicrafts and handlooms. As per historians, handloom weaving in Odisha dates to 600 BC. Human figures sculpted on the centuries old temples reflect stylistic draping of clothes.

The Odisha "tie and dye” fabrics and sarees are called "Bandha". 
They are also popularly known as "Ikat" in India. The meaning of Bandha and Ikat in Odia and Malay languages respectively is the same- to tie or wind. 
According to historians, Bandha is Odisha state’s heritage and historical maritime trade link with Indonesia.
The warp or weft or both are tied and then dyed as per the pre-planned designs. Then, these threads are used for weaving. The designs seem the same on both side of the fabrics. 

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Odisha Rasagola - Sweet Treat Of Odisha #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia


This news did not get the deserving attention by many national newspapers and some media channels.
Even now there is misleading and fake news regarding Rasgulla- Misinformation About Rasagola Still Continues.
Thus, many are not aware of this GI tag of Odisha.

How can the facts come to light when there is propaganda or when they are suppressed?
The spelling of Odisha Rasagola has the spelling "Odisha" as the application was submitted in 2019.
However, "Orissa Ikat" and "Orissa Pattachitra" have the old spelling "Orissa" as they were registered before Orissa state's name change to Odisha.
You can read more here- Odisha Geographical Indications And Spellings

Future Tense

Liza was doing what she always wanted to do - clearing the attic.
"Great use of the Covid-19 lockdown!" her grandma joked.

The two ladies were in financial difficulty following a car-accident that killed Liza's grandfather and parents.

Liza dropped out of college to join work.
Then, the pandemic struck...

Liza found old things interesting.
The attic was a treasure-house!

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Quiz About Geographical Indications #GIQuiz #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

How do we get to learn something some fact or information?
  • When someone, say family-member, friend, relative, or teacher informs us
  • When we read in books, magazines or newspapers- offline or online
  • When we watch films or videos or news channels and media coverage
Am I missing some other sources of info? If yes, please do share in the comments section of this post.

When I see the misinformation and fake news doing the rounds, it gives me great pain.
Clearly, there is a reason or purpose why some people are spreading the wrong information. 

Either they themselves are not aware of facts, having got their knowledge from misleading and inaccurate sources, or they have ulterior motives to spread the wrong info.
Over the years, when many people indulge in such kind of activities, the "origin" story of a product gets rewritten or doctored. When a lie is repeated hundreds of times, it appears to be the truth. 
However, "truth is still the truth even if no one believes it".

The Geographical Indications (GIs) are unique and special products of a particular area. They have earned the GI certificate from the Ministry of Commerce of the respective governments of nations. However, many people of the respective states or countries are yet to learn about them! 

Take me for instance. 
Despite being a culture and heritage enthusiast, I did not know about Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics, Habaspuri Saree and Fabrics, and Ganjam Kewda Flower and Ganjam Kewda Rooh before independently researching and working for the Geographical Indications of Odisha, taking a self-initiative. However, once I knew and am in the process of knowing, it has been my sincere endeavour to create awareness and dispel misinformation.

There is a huge knowledge and awareness gap.
Our school text-books do not have information about these GI goods. I feel such information should be included in the school books. Social Studies should mention these "invaluable treasures of incredible India". 
How many of our students are interested to learn something beyond what is taught in school textbooks? 
This is a humble request to the authors of text-books and to the teachers: please do include this information so that the next generation can be aware. 
Once we are aware, we can be proud of our rich heritage and culture.



Quizzes are a great way to test our knowledge. They are a fun and interesting way to learn.
How many of us love quizzing? 
Personally, I love quizzes. Rapid-fire rounds are a good exercise for the memory.

How sharp are you when it comes to quizzing? Can you recollect names of products and places when they come up in discussions?

When I first conducted a Quiz on Odisha in Twitter in 2014, I realized how little people know about Odisha. Now, six years have passed. Things may be slightly better in this tech age and new decade. Still, it is always amazing to discover what is available in our own city/district/state/country that we were not aware.

Though some may have had heard the names and know the category of the products, they still do not  know that the same products have earned the GI tags. Sadly, this includes the artisans, weavers and farmers too who are involved in making these products.

Please do join for the #GIQuiz and #KnowYourGI this World Intellectual Property Day.
Twitter- @oditatrust - http://twitter.com/oditatrust
Facebook- @oditatrusthttp://www.facebook.com/OditaTrust
Instagram- @oditatrusthttp://www.instagram.com/oditatrust/

See you on 26 April 2020 on the social media handles of Odita Trust.
Test your knowledge and learn more about #OdishaGI and #GIsofIndia.

Q For- Quizzing
Quiz about Geographical Indications
I am writing A-Z posts about the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics. GI products are linked with the culture, traditions, history etc. of a geographical location. 
Only when info is shared, people can learn and be aware.
This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI Tags of Odisha.
You can check out my other GI posts here.
My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.
Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.
Are you aware of the Geographical Indications of India? 
Do you like Quizzing?
Please do share in the comments below.

Monday, 20 April 2020

Orissa Pattachitra #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

The word Pattachitra is derived from the Sanskrit word “patta”, which means a painted piece of cloth, or a plate; "chitra" means paintings or pictures.

The brilliantly colored Pattachitra works originated at Puri. They were/are produced as souvenirs for the pilgrims of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. 
Pattachitra is linked with Shree Jagannath Temple. 

You can see more images in this post- Pattachitra depicting Rasagola Dibasa and Niladri Bije Rath Yatra.

Themes for the Pattachitra paintings range from incidents in Krishna’s life and the avatars of Vishnu to the epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Saturday, 18 April 2020

Odisha Geographical Indications And Spellings #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Odisha is a culturally and naturally-rich state situated in eastern India. 
As per records, Odisha's history is at least 5,000 years old. 
Odisha has been known by many names over the centuries.
"Kalinga" and "Utkala" are popularly used even today. More information here

Odisha was the first state of India formed on the linguistic basis. 
Orissa, a state of Oriya speakers, was established as a province of British India on 1 April 1936
We celebrate 1 April every year as Utkala Dibasa.

Note- Odisha was previously called "Orissa." 
The English name Orissa was changed to "ODISHA" in 2011. 
The spelling of Oriya language too has been changed to "ODIA" in 2011
However, many people are not aware and continue to use the old spellings.
Many books and maps are yet to update the correct spellings.
Some organisations/offices etc. have to use the old name i.e. "Orissa" as their names still have not been changed.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...