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.

#Rasagola & #DahiRasagola are a part of 115 varieties of bhoga of Shree Jagannath Temple-https://t.co/Rv1WSIrDHQ
On #RasagolaDibasa, Dr. Bhaskar Mishra answered my Qn: When is Dahi Rasagola offered?
Video courtesy: @TaraniTrotter
@ StateArchives, Bhubaneswar,Odisha🇮🇳@bbsrbuzz pic.twitter.com/53TUWvBGxU

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) July 19, 2019

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?"

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! 

I had shared this comment in @ZeeNews @YouTube @YouTubeIndia channel today.
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

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 2, 2021

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,
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

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 16, 2021

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 Rasagola- 26 #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

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

Q- Quiz About Rasgulla 

R- Rasabali And Rasagola

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

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. 

My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.

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'. 

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!

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.

Nothing called #Khiramohana #Khirmohan was/is offered @ #Puri Temple#Rasagola bhoga is offered on #NiladriBije
Thus, we celebrate it as #RasagolaDibasa
More info-"Rasagola & Rasagola Dibasa"#RathYatra'19- Odisha Review-https://t.co/MUvvTMALSL#Rasgullahttps://t.co/hozGesZmeg pic.twitter.com/pJZ8Hf0ZuE

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) July 6, 2020

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

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. 

“Followers will never know how hard the leader tries to create a path.”#MondayMotivation #mondaythoughts #quoteoftheday

“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

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) June 29, 2020

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?

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-

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.

Have you heard this song of @rapperbigdeal ?
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

— wear a mask. covid kills 😷 (@1_theDash) September 17, 2020

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. 

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 

Do you know that Pages 7007-7020 of the Volume VI of Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha (Purnachandra Odia Dictionary) list words starting with ‘Rasa’?
Rasa is related to Odisha's culture.
Rasa, Rasakora, Rasabara, Rasagola in Odia language -https://t.co/0g9pV6jRr3#RasagolaDibasa pic.twitter.com/SMVCcHJBsj

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) July 25, 2018

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.)