GI Tag for Mithila Makhana

In News: The government has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Mithila Makhana, a move which is expected to help growers get the maximum price for their premium produce.

• Mithila Makhana or Makhan is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal.

Aranmula Kannadi

• The sector fell into bad times as labour and raw material costs increased due to floods and the pandemic.
• Aranmula Kannadi literally means the mirror of Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. It was the first craft item from the state to receive a geographical indication tag in 2005.
• These special and rare mirrors are created by a handful of highly skilled traditional artisan families belonging to the town’s Vishwakarma community.
• The alloy formula they use is a secret passed down through generations.
• Made on demand, every piece, irrespective of its size, takes significant time and effort to finish.

• The uniqueness of this mirror is its front reflection, unlike the back reflection in normal glass mirrors. This means the reflective surface is placed on a back support, as opposed to regular mirrors where the reflective surface is behind glass.
• These mirrors also have a cultural significance in Kerala: It is regarded as one of the eight auspicious objects (ashtamangalya) displayed during religious festivals or auspicious occasions and ceremonies.
• It is believed to bring prosperity, luck and wealth into the life of its custodian.

GI Tag

• A GI is primarily given to an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
• Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.
• GI tag in India is governed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. It is issued by the Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai).
• This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Benefits of GI Tag

• It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications thus preventing unauthorized use of the registered GIs by others.
• It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.
• The GI protection in India leads to recognition of the product in other countries thus boosting exports.

Must Read: Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

Source: Indian Express

Downtoearth.org

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
3. Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

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