GI-tag products-themed stamps and postal covers highlight of expo

The show exhibits philatelic material on GI tags for 446 items. These include post marks and post cards going back years before the products got GI tag.

Rasgulla, the delectable milk-based sweet, had led to a bitter war between West Bengal and Odisha over the origins of the sweet.

West Bengal was the first to get the geographical indication (GI) tag for its ‘rasagulla’ in 2017. In 2019, Odisha too got the GI tag for its version of the culinary delight.

Both the rasgullas feature on stamps and special covers brought out to celebrate the sweet made of chhena (cottage cheese).

A special cover commemorating Nobin Chandra Das, credited by Bengalis with inventing the sweet, and the Odisha rasagulla said to be offered as bhog to Lord Jagannath can be seen at an exhibition on stamps and postal covers on handloom and handicraft, food, and manufactured products that have received the GI tag is under way at Hassan Marakkar Hall here.

Exhibited by Sreejesh Krishnan and Jaagruthi Nithin Adka as part of the fourth philatelic exhibition of the Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, the display is a treasure trove for fans of the country’s culture and heritage, not to mention general knowledge fans and travellers.

Mr. Krishnan says that till now applications have been given for GI tags for 1,347 products. Of them, 642 have been issued GI certificates.

Mr. Krishnan says they have exhibited philatelic material on GI tags for 446 items, even though India Post has brought out covers for 300-odd items. These include post marks and post cards going back years before the products got GI tag.