A To Z of Rasagola - April 1 #UtkalDivas #RasagolaA2Z

When you hear the word- Rasagola or Rasgulla, what comes to your mind?

Most people in India would recognize this "King of Sweets".

However, those who have not heard about it or tasted it, may not realize what they have been missing. 

"The proof of the Rasagola is in the eating."

Today is April 1st- celebrated as- Utkal Divas / Utkala Dibasa i.e. Odisha Day.

In Odisha, we have multiple reasons to celebrate many festivities and every occasion with Rasagola - be it birthday, anniversary, grihapravesh, thread-ceremony...even death ceremony.

Just eat and celebrate sweetness with Rasagola, and all is well.

All is well till someone (read an Odia) tries to bring out the truth about Rasagola - that Odisha is the birthplace of Rasagola! That's when all either oppose or say that this is inconsequential! 

Those of you, who are aware about "Geographical Indication" (GI) may ask- "But, wasn't the Rasagola controversy settled? Bengal earned the GI Tag for 'Banglar Rasogolla' in 2017! Bengal won & Odisha lost the fight!"

Last year, I was invited for a GI webinar by a leading business daily. Before it began, the moderator, a senior journalist of the same pink-paper, asked me- "Okay, tell me one thing- There was a 'fight' between Odisha and Bengal regarding Rasagola and GI Tag. Did Odisha get GI Tag for Odisha's Rasagola?"

I informed him- "Of course, Odisha earned GI Tag for 'Odisha Rasagola' on July 29, 2019. But, sadly, many media houses including your top business newspaper paper ignored this news-story and never published about Odisha's 'win'. How will readers/viewers know unless correct unbiased news is shared and they are properly informed?"

Odisha Rasagola earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on July 29, 2019.

I told him how I had spoken about this issue with the late Resident Editor (RE) of the said daily, and the RE had expressed that though they had sent the report for publication, it had been conveniently disposed and tactically dropped by their head-office. It had been published in the online paper, but not in the print issue. Because of this writer's ardent pleas, the RE ensured publication of the Odisha Rasagola GI news.  After several days, a lone article was published in the weekend section.

In contrast, many know the neighboring state that is credited with the "invention of Rosogolla", as that is what has been served and fed to the public.

Fact is - Once a narrative has been set, it is very difficult to change popular perceptions. More so when the opposition party has possessive, vocal, established, united, and competitive propaganda taskforce.

Also, "Jo dikhta hai, wo bikta hai"- What is seen, sells.

"Jo bikta hai, wo dikhta hai" - What sells, is seen.

On this day in 2019, Kandhamal Haladi - organic turmeric from the Kandhamal district of Odisha, had earned the GI Tag. However, Odisha is yet to grab the opportunities presented by such potential products. 

For long, this writer has been suggesting for Odisha stores stocking the best of Odisha products including Rasagola everywhere. Some people don't know about Odisha Rasagola as they are yet to hear/see/learn/taste/experience it.

On April 1, 1936, Odisha became the first state in India to be formed on linguistic basis. 

Even after so many years, Odisha is yet to have shops named as- "Odisha Sweets" or "Utkala Sweets".

In contrast, our well-known neighbour has too many sweet shops with its city and state's name as prefix.

Warm wishes on the occasion of Odisha Day - #UtkalDivas #UtkalaDibasa.

We are always ready to celebrate with Rasagola!

Today, I will be conducting an Odisha Quiz. One of the answers should be anybody's guess! 

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

A For- A To Z & of course, April 1 - A To Z of Rasagola

I will be writing A-Z posts about Rasagola- 26 Rasagola posts this April.

This sincere attempt is to enrich cyberspace by sharing correct information about Rasagola.

Rasagola is a part of Odisha's traditional knowledge, continuing tradition, cultural heritage and identity.  

Only when the truth is shared, people can learn and be aware.
You can check out my other Rasagola posts here.
This is my fifth #A2Z Challenge, and my last four challenges have been about Odisha, India. 

My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Rasagola? 
Did you know that Rasagolas originated in Odisha? 

Please share any information about Rasagola that you may have and which you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware. Please do share in the comments below.