Stamp of Tradition

A geographical indication( GI) is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities because of that origin. Let’ s take a look at some such food items in India. A Matter of Taste Certain places become synonymous with mouthwatering delicacies like the pethas of Agra or mishti

doi (sweet yoghur t) of Kolkata. The famous Dharwad pedha of Karnataka which was registered in 2008, owes its origin to Ram Ratan Singh Thakur, an immigrant from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. He set up shop in Dharwad in the early 19th century. His special milky pedhas became so popular that locals began calling it Thakur pedha or the Line Bazaar pedha (name of the street where the shop is located). The original recipe of the Dharwad pedha is a closely guarded secret passed down from generation to generation.

FYI

African FYI countries like Ghana and Zambia are producing bicycles made of bamboo. The aluminium or steel main f r a me o f the bike is replaced by the light, durable and shockabsorbent bamboo. The eco-friendly bike is nonpolluting and recyclable and uses less electricity in its production. The bikes also help to provide employment in rural areas.

Each of the thousands of pilgrims visiting the Tirupati temple everyday comes away with the delicious t r a d e mark laddus as prasadam

(prasad). Around 1.5 lakh laddus are prepared daily. Made of gram flour and sugar, the laddus are enriched with cashew nuts, almonds and raisins. The unique flavour of the Srivari laddu, better k n own a s the Tirupati l a d d u , was acknowledged with a GI tag in 2009.

Countless shops in metros cash in on the name ‘Bikaner’ to ensure a steady stream of customers buying savour y snacks. This is because Bikaner has a thriving cottage industry which produces tasty deep-fried snacks with over 400 units in the business. The Bikaneri bhujia is famous for its flavour.