GI Tag to Gamosa and Five Agricultural Products

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    In News 

    • Recently ,’ Gamocha‘ and Five agricultural products of Kerala have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status.

    About Gamosa 

    • A ‘gamocha’ literally means a towel and is a handwoven rectangular cotton piece of cloth with red borders and different designs and motifs.
    • It is traditionally offered to elders and guests as a mark of respect and honour by Assamese people.
    •  It is an integral part of all socio-religious ceremonies in the state and is considered as an Assamese identity and pride.
      • It is a symbol of the culture and identity of Assam.
    • Features : For specific purposes, it is also made of expensive materials like traditional Assamese ‘Pat’ silk and in different colours as well.
      • A ‘gamocha’ meant for exchange during ‘Bihu’ festival is known as ‘Bihuwan’. 
      • This unique scarf, which is found only in Assam, is also used as a signifier of reverence while decorating altars or covering religious books.

    About Five agricultural products

    • Attappady Attukombu Avara (beans): It is cultivated in the Attappady region of Palakkad, and is curved like a goat’s horn as its name indicates.
      •  Its higher anthocyanin content compared to other dolichos beans imparts violet colour in the stem and fruits.
        • Anthocyanin is helpful against cardiovascular diseases along with its antidiabetic properties. 
        • Calcium, protein, and fibre content are also high and the higher phenolic content in it imparts resistance against pests and diseases, making the crop suitable for organic cultivation.
    • Attappady Thuvara (red gram): It is having seeds with a white coat. Compared to other red grams, its seeds are bigger and have higher seed weight. 
      • This delicious red gram, which is used as vegetable and dal, is rich in protein, carbohydrate, fibre, calcium and magnesium.
    • Kanthalloor-Vattavada Veluthulli (garlic): It contains higher amount of sulphides, flavonoids, and proteins. 
      • It is rich in allicin, which is effective against microbial infections, blood sugar, cancer, cholesterol, heart diseases, and damages to blood vessels..
    • Onattukara Ellu (sesame): Onattukara Ellu and its oil are famous for its unique health benefits. Relatively higher antioxidant content in Onattukara Ellu helps in fighting the free radicals, which destroy the body cells. 
      • Also, the high content of unsaturated fat makes it beneficial for heart patients.
    • Kodungalloor Pottuvellari (snap melon): It is consumed as juice and in other forms. 
      • This snap melon, which is harvested in summer, is an excellent for quenching thirst. 
      • It contains high amount of Vitamin C and nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, fiber, and fat content are also high.

    Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

    • About:
      • GI or Geographical Indication Tag is used for products which have specific geographical origin or have qualities that can be attributed specifically to the region.
      • A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
    • Paris Convention:
      • It is a part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
    • Act in India: 
      • In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
    • Protection:
      • Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name.
    • Validity:
      • This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
    • Benefits of GI Tag: 
      • It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India
      • Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others
      • It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports.
      • It promotes the economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.

    Source:IE

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