Monday, 12 April 2021

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

Historical Evidence of Rasgulla And Research #RasagolaA2Z

Historical references and evidences are much needed while filing the Geographical Indication (GI) Application.

Following our Rasagola Dibasa i.e. Rasgulla Day celebration online on July 30, 2015, the topic Rasgulla trended.

There were many debates and discussions and intellectuals and researchers shared the available information.

However, it included misleading and false information regarding Chhena and Rasgulla invention too.

The neighbouring state filed for the GI of their Rasogolla in September 2015.

Odisha Government set up three committees and was in the process of "collecting evidence".

This report has more.

Based on the interim report of the three panels set up by the state government to prepare evidence about Rasagola:

"The committees, in their report, have stated that there is conclusive evidence on the use of Rasagolla in Odisha for a long time. This sweet dish was prepared by several mutts and temples in the state about 600 years ago," Odisha's Science and Technology Minister, Pradip Kumar Panigrahi said.

Panigrahi said there were evidences supporting Odisha's claim over Rasagolla in epics like Mahabharata, the one written by Sarala Das, 'Dandi Ramayan' and also in Madala Panji, the ancient text used by the 12th century Sri Jagannath Temple.

Odisha claims evidence of Rasagola availability 600 years ago

GI Tags of Odisha And Odisha Rasagola #RasagolaA2Z

Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of Intellectual Property Right (IPR).

Some unique and reputed products of different geographical areas of India have earned the GI Tag. 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.

As on date, Odisha has 17 GI products.

List of the Geographical Indication (GIs) Of Odisha-

Kotpad Handloom Fabric - Handicraft
Orissa Ikat - Handicraft
Konark Stone Carving - Handicraft
Orissa Pattachitra - Handicraft
Pipli Applique Work - Handicraft
Khandua Saree and Fabrics - Handicraft
Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics - Handicraft
Ganjam Kewda Rooh - Manufactured
Ganjam Kewda Flower - Agricultural
Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics - Handicraft
Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft
Bomkai Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft
Habaspuri Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft
Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree & Joda - Handicraft
Araku Valley Arabica Coffee - Agricultural
Kandhamal Haladi - Agricultural
Odisha Rasagola - Food Stuff

The above is the correct list of Geographical Indications of Odisha.

Different lists with some omissions and additions can be seen while referring to the "GIs of Odisha" lists shared in multiple online articles and news reports.

Facts, Fake News, and False Information About Rasgulla #RasagolaA2Z

Many people are not aware about Rasgulla's centuries-old continuing cultural and historical association with Odisha and Puri Rath Yatra.

Many think Odisha 'lost' and Bengal 'won' the Rasgulla battle/war.

Blatant lies and biased reports regarding Rasgulla/Rasagola still continue freely, unchecked and unabashed.

Myths about cottage-cheese, chhena and Rasagola are regularly shared.

Odisha Rasagola At Exhibitions and Events #RasagolaA2Z

Rasgulla or Rasagola is offered on the last day of the Ratha Jatra.

Many people do not know about this ancient continuing tradition - that has been continuing every year, for the past several centuries. This establishes Rasgulla's link with Odisha.

Many are yet to know that Odisha has earned the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for Odisha Rasagola. Earning the tag has given a chance to the Registered Proprietors and Authorised Users to be represented in GI Exhibitions.

In the past GI exhibitions in which this writer was a part, Odisha Rasagola could not earn a place as it had not earned the GI tag then.

The public can be introduced to Rasagola if they get to see and taste and experience Rasagola at one place.

Rasgulla Day - Rasagola Dibasa Celebration #RasagolaA2Z

Day is called Dibasa in Odia.

Rasagola Dibasa or Rasgulla Day means a day to celebrate Rasagola.

Did you know about Rasgulla Day?

The first celebration of a day for Rasgulla was done in Odisha, India.

No matter by what spelling it is referred to- Rasgulla Divas, Rasagola Diwas etc, the fact remains that Odisha not only invented the sweet, but it also has been celebrating a day for Rasgulla.

No one really knows how old is the celebration of "Niladri Bije", the last day of the Ratha Jatra, when Rasagola is traditionally offered to Maa Lakshmi and Shree Jagannatha at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri. If you ask an average Odia about "Rasagola Day", they will tell you about Niladri Bije.

It is said- "Ratha Jatra jebethu, Rasagola sebethu." - Rasagola is as old as the Ratha Jatra.

Niladri Bije is celebrated each year on-ground and as a continuing tradition from many centuries in the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, and in many other religious places like mathas and temples.

There was a need to propose and initiate celebration of Rasagola Dibasa on social media & online & also to join in the offline Niladri Bije celebrations to change wrong perceptions-

Myth 1. Rasgulla was invented in Bengal.

Reality- Odisha is the birthplace of Rasgulla

Myth 2. All Chhena sweets are associated only with Bengal.

Reality - Odisha has been the pioneer of Chhena sweets and other sweets.

Myth 3. Portuguese taught Indians how to prepare Cottage-Cheese i.e. Chhena.

Reality of Cottage-Cheese or Chhena

Cottage-Cheese, Chhena, And Comments About Rasgulla #RasagolaA2Z

Cottage-cheese or Chhena, a milk product, is the main ingredient required to produce the 'King of Sweets"- Rasagola or Rasgulla.

Milk is split or curdled to create Chhena.

Odisha earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Odisha Rasagola on 29 July, 2019.

However, a false narrative has been set. The following myths are still being propagated-

Myth 1. Curdled milk or Chhena is "impure" and hence "taboo" and cannot be offered to God.

Myth 2. Chhena is not offered in any temple as there are restrictions.

Blatant Lies And Biased Reports About Rasgulla Invention #RasagolaA2Z

Blatant lies have been and are still being peddled about Rasgulla and "Bengali invention".

Do you know the history of this "king of sweets"?

Your version of the story will depend on your source of information.

Check out this video for the special "Rasgulla History" report by Zee News.

Here is another report by Zee News about Rasgulla's Birthplace.

Money power and propaganda can succeed in creating such fake stories.

These reports claim that Bengal is the birthplace of Rasgulla! They are also claiming Rasmalai dish was invented in Bengal!

Though both these reports are of March 2021, they don't even mention that Odisha has earned the Odisha Rasagola GI in 2019. Zee News has made it look that only Bengal is synonymous with Rasgulla!

Why is wrong news report regarding #Rasgulla again being shown on @ZeeTV @ZeeNews?
Why false info @zeenewseditor @ZeeNewsSudhir? #Rasagola is a traditional Odia dessert with cultural & historical link with Shree Jagannatha #Puri #Odisha @sudhirchaudhary, pl share correct info🙏
— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) March 4, 2021

What you know has been fed by either media or people you know, who in turn are fed by media and people they know!

This is a bad case of 'Chinese Whispers'. One media house publishes a false or misleading report with vested interests, and others may reuse the same biased report & continue the trend.

Also, of money and muscle power. Truth is suppressed by the so-called "superior intellectual and cultural prowess". Superior people must not steal others credit and identity.

This is a glaring case of cultural appropriation.

A To Z of Rasagola - April 1 #UtkalDivas #RasagolaA2Z

When you hear the word- Rasagola or Rasgulla, what comes to your mind?

Most people in India would recognize this "King of Sweets".

However, those who have not heard about it or tasted it, may not realize what they have been missing.

"The proof of the Rasagola is in the eating."

Today is April 1st- celebrated as- Utkal Divas / Utkala Dibasa i.e. Odisha Day.

In Odisha, we have multiple reasons to celebrate many festivities and every occasion with Rasagola - be it birthday, anniversary, grihapravesh, thread-ceremony...even death ceremony.

Just eat and celebrate sweetness with Rasagola, and all is well.

All is well till someone (read an Odia) tries to bring out the truth about Rasagola - that Odisha is the birthplace of Rasagola! That's when all either oppose or say that this is inconsequential!