In a bid to strengthen the claim of Rasagola originating from Odisha, research scholar on Jagannath cult and traditions Asit Mohanty has submitted some relevant documents to the State Government.
Mohanty, a member of the Rasagola Committee formed by the Government, presented a 27-page research paper and a 100-page document comprising 75 points to Science & Technology Minister Pradeep Panigrahy, raising hope for the much-coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag of the Rasagola.
Panigrahy said, “Asit Mohanty has submitted evidence regarding existence of Rasagola in Odisha before 1500 AD. The department will examine the report and take appropriate steps soon to present the evidence before the Government of India in order to create an identity of Rasagola having its origin from Odisha.”
Mohanty said, “Odisha will definitely get the GI tag of Rasagola as the West Bengal Government hasn’t applied for the same due to lack of concrete evidence to support their claims.”
In the documents, Mohanty has rejected the claim of West Bengal that preparation of Chhena, the stuff required for making Rasagola, was initially learnt by Bengalis from the Portuguese.
It may be recalled that the Odisha Government had last year initiated efforts for GI tag of Pahala Rasagola, following which the West Bengal Government claimed that the iconic sweet originated from its State.
The Odisha Government had then formed three committees to take the battle with its West Bengal over the origin of the Rasagola. After the committees failed to gather sufficient evidence in favour of Odisha, the Government had refrained from showing enthusiasm in the GI tag race.
However, Mohanty has now come up with solid evidences. He claims of Rasagola being cited in the Dandi Ramayana, the Odia adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana by sage poet Balarama Das, the eldest of the Panchasakhas in the 15th century.
Further, the Dandi Ramayana has featured in the World e-Book of 1921 published by the Calcutta University which has mention of the Rasagola’s association with traditions and practices relating to lord Jagannath, Mohanty claims.