Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Context
Seven products from across India, including four from Rajasthan, were given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.
GI tags to
The Jalesar Dhatu Shilp (metal craft), Goa Mankurad mango, Goan Bebinca, Udaipur Koftgari metal craft, Bikaner Kashidakari craft, Jodhpur Bandhej craft and Bikaner Usta Kala craft were the ones which got the tag.
The application for the Goa Mankurad mango was filed by All Goa Mango Growers Association, Panaji, Goa. The Portuguese named the mango as Malcorada meaning poor coloured and with time this word transformed to ‘Mankurad’ aamo. Aamo means mango in Konkani language.
What is an GI tag?
A GI tag stands for “Geographical Indication” tag or mark.
It is a form of intellectual property right that identifies goods as originating from a specific geographical location or region.
which gives them certain unique qualities, characteristics, reputation, or other attributes that are essentially attributable to that specific geographic origin.
The purpose of the GI tag is to protect the reputation and traditional knowledge associated with a particular product and prevent unauthorized use or imitation.
In many countries, including India, the GI tag is used to protect and promote traditional products and handicrafts that have unique characteristics or qualities linked to a particular geographical area.
Examples of products that may receive a GI tag include agricultural produce, food items, handicrafts, textiles, and traditional crafts.
When a product is granted a GI tag, it gains legal protection, and only producers or artisans from the designated geographical area are allowed to use the tag for their goods.
This helps in preserving the uniqueness and heritage of the products while also providing economic benefits to the communities involved in their production.
The process of obtaining a GI tag usually involves filing an application with the relevant authorities, providing evidence of the product’s distinctiveness and connection to the specific geographic region.
If approved, the product is then registered with the GI tag, and its unique identity and origin are officially recognized and protected.
Four different crafts from Rajasthan
Four different crafts from Rajasthan were given the GI tags.
- The Udaipur Koftgari metal craftsmen practices the ancient art of Koftgari used in making ornamental weaponry. The weapons are exquisitely ornamented by a complicated process of etching of design, heating and then cooling intertwined with the process of embedding gold and silver wire into the metal, pressing and flattening it to a smooth surface using moonstone and finally polishing.
- The Bikaner Kashidakari craft. Kashidakari work is done majorly on objects associated with marriage, especially gift items, and makes use of mirror work.
- The Jodhpur bandhej craft is the Rajasthani art of tying and dyeing. It is the art of printing varied patterns on fabrics using the tie and dye method.
- The Bikaner Usta Kala craft is also known as gold nakashi work or gold manauti work, due to the prominence of golden colour in an actual manner developed by gold in the previous period. Due to this, the craft has longevity.
