Odisha Rasagola At Exhibitions and Events #RasagolaA2Z

Rasgulla or Rasagola is offered on the last day of the Ratha Jatra.

Many people do not know about this ancient continuing tradition - that has been continuing every year, for the past several centuries. This establishes Rasgulla's link with Odisha.

Many are yet to know that Odisha has earned the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for Odisha Rasagola. Earning the tag has given a chance to the Registered Proprietors and Authorised Users to be represented in GI Exhibitions.

In the past GI exhibitions in which this writer was a part, Odisha Rasagola could not earn a place as it had not earned the GI tag then.

The public can be introduced to Rasagola if they get to see and taste and experience Rasagola at one place.

Many people would get an opportunity to get to learn more.

Exhibitions are a great platform for marketing and promotion. Producer groups can showcase products, learn, grow, and share. 

There needs to be frequent, better and proper representation to make all aware.

1. The first Rasagola exhibition was held at Bhubaneswar on July 30, 2015.

The date was the Niladri Bije of the Nabakalebara Ratha Jatra that we had chosen to celebrate the maiden Rasagola Dibasa celebration on social media.

This writer had received a couple of phone-calls from some interested Odias from all over India, who had followed the #RasagolaDibasa social media posts.

It was great to receive the call from Ms. Tanaya Patnaik, of Sambad Group and Radio Choklate, who expressed her appreciation of the initiative and enquired how she could support the cause.

That's when this writer requested their group for arranging an exhibition of all the different varieties of Odisha Rasagola in one place, just as shared in this blog post- Rasagola Dibasa (published on 13 July, 2015). The Rasagola of Odisha is available in different colours, flavours, and shapes and sizes, and people must get a chance to experience.

She heeded to this writer's request and implemented idea within the short time-period. Thanks to her interest and initiative, the maiden Rasagola Exhibition was held at Master Canteen, Bhubaneswar, and was much appreciated. 

2. Odisha Parba - Members of the Pahala Rasagola Entrepreneurs & Manufacturers Society (PREMS) and Salepur Rasagola had participated in this celebration event held near the India Gate from 2017 onwards.

It was great that theassociation accepted this writer's suggestion of wearing "Orissa Ikat", Geographical Indication of Odisha.

3. Annapurna Food Exhibition at Mumbai is a popular food fair every year. Odisha Rasagola has been represented there, though not in the GI stall.

4. Food Exhibition at Delhi/Noida - Odisha Rasagola made their impact in this exhibition.

5. Rasagola Mahotsav by OTV- To support the Rasagola and GI cause and to create the awareness and promotion of the various types of Rasagolas, Team Odisha Television network (OTV) organized the Rasagola Mahotsav for three years from 2018-2020 on Makar Sankranti.

Will be sharing in detail about the event in a later post.

6. Geographical Indication Festival of India (GIFI)- This year, owing to the pandemic, there was a maiden virtual GI Exhibition organized by the Govt of Telangana and CII  in which 'Odisha Rasagola' also found representation. Odisha Rasagola made its debut as a GI in an exhibition.

Can you spot the Odisha Rasagola stall below?

It is always a proud moment to represent our Rasagola. This is how our Odisha Rasagola stall looked:

Are you aware of more Exhibitions where you have seen Rasgulla?

Some find this Rasgulla issue 'sickening', 'tiring' and 'boring'; while others feel this 'fight' is 'silly and inconsequential'. Misinformation about Rasgulla continues. We have two choices- either accept the lies regarding Rasgulla and keep quiet while more lies are served, or share the facts and make everyone aware.

This writer has been consistently and persistently writing and sharing about this topic from 2014 onwards. Dedicated efforts have been to settle this Rasgulla debate and to put an end to this controversy once and for all. Thus, this writer had initiated the Rasagola Dibasa - Rasgulla Day celebration on social media in 2015. Thereafter, this writer had facilitated the filing of the 'Odisha Rasagola' GI application. Odisha has earned the GI Tag for Odisha Rasagola in July 2019. However, the false representation and misleading, biased, and fake news reports, articles, and videos still continue. Such propaganda must stop. Rasagola's Odisha origin must be known first to be accepted by all. Only when the truth is shared, people can learn and be aware. May truth triumph.

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

E For- Exhibition, Event

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

This is a sincere attempt to share information about Rasagola/Rasgulla.

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

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/Rasgulla? 

Did you know that Rasgullas originated in Odisha? 

Please do share any information about Rasgulla that you may have and which you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware.