Now mandua, jhangora get GI tags
PrashantNews
“Mandua-jhangora khainge Uttarakhand banayeinge” was a key but sentimental slogan during the statehood movement of 1990s.
The two popular millets, which are grown abundantly in the hill state, were tagged Geographical Indications (GI) along with 16 other products or arts, said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who made their certificates public at a function in Dehradun on Monday. Dhami said the state has received GI certificates for 18 products. Earlier, only nine products from the hill state were registered under the GI category.
The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorized users or at least those residing inside the geographic territory are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea became the first GO tagged product in India in 2004.
A government statement said a total of 27 products from the hill state have been given GI tags. “Uttarakhand is the only state which has got 18 GI certificates in a single day,” Dhami said.
Besides mandua and jhangora, other 16 products are chaulai, lal chawal, Almora lakhori mirch, Bairinag tea, burans juice, Ramnagar-Nainital lychee, Ramnagar aaru, malta, pahari taur, gahat, kala bhatt, bichhubuti fabric, Nainital candles, Kumaoni rangwali pichaura, Chamoli ramanak musk and lekhai wood carving.
Earlier, GI certificates were issued for nine products which include tejpat, basmati rice, aipan art, white rajma of Munsiyari, ringal craft, thumla, Bhotia dann (rug), chyura oil and copper products.
Dhami also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard. He also expressed hope that the move would help all these GI tagged products of the hill state to get international recognition.
Statehood activist Shivanand Chamoli said these products especially mandua and jhangora have special sentimental values of the statehood movement. “We were desperate during those days (statehood movement days). Someone gave this historic slogan of mandua-jhangora khainge, Uttarakhand banayeinge,” he said. Ends