Odisha files for rasagola patent

Odisha has finally applied for a Geographical Indication (GI) for its own version of a beloved sweetmeat called “Odishara Rasagola” (Rasagola of Odisha). This comes months after the state of West Bengal in India won the battle for the GI tag for Bengalis favourite dessert, the “rosogolla”.

The GI tag for rosogolla generated a bitter battle between Odisha and West Bengal. As the people of Odisha were unhappy with the result, MSME Minister Prafulla Samal had announced that the state will file its application.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said "Odisha government is in the process of obtaining GI tag for Odishara Rasagola. It originated in Odisha and is offered at Jagannath Temple as part of religious rituals by people of Odisha since the 12th century."

Officials today said the state government has approached the GI Registry almost three months after West Bengal was awarded the GI tag for “Banglar Rosogolla”.

"GI application for the #OdisharaRasagola filed with the GI Registry, Chennai by Odisha Small Industrial Corporation,” Odisha's Medium Small and Micro Enterprises department tweeted today.

Ratnakar Rout, managing director of Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) filed the application with the GI Registry in Chennai on Friday.

The Odisha version of rosogolla was mentioned in a 16th century Odia epic, Dandi Ramayana, the state government said in its claim to the GI Registry.