BJD MPs seeks GI tag for Odisha’s Kendrapara Rasabali

Bhubaneswar: Three Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs from Odisha have demanded Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ‘Kendrapara Rasabali’, a sweet which traces its origin to the 400-year-old Baldevjew temple.

Kendrapara Rasaballi is deep-fried patties of cheeses soaked in thickened milk. Several people in Kendrapara district depend on the sale of the sweet for their livelihood.

BJD MPs Subash Chandra Singh, Munna Khan and Mamta Mohanta met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum seeking GI tag for Kendrapara Rasabali.

“Odisha is the home to the oldest organised kitchen in the world, the prasad served in Brahmagiri temple is a testament to the state’s culinary magnificence even 500 years ago. Yet, Odia cuisine does not find an honourable mention in the popular Indian food culture,” they said in the memorandum.

The BJD MPs said it has failed to gain widespread recognition due to improper marketing strategies and misuse of its name.

The MPs urged the Minister to consider according a GI tag to Kendrapara Rasaballi as it will provide a distinct identity to this sweet delicacy while also building its reputation in the market nationally as well as at the international level.