Over 60 products from across India, including the famous Banaras Thandai, have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
This is the first time such a large number of GI tags have been given at a go.
Six traditional crafts from Assam — Asharikandi terracotta craft, Pani Meteka craft, Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam), Mishing handloom products, and the Bihu dhol — have bagged the GI tag.
Thirteen other products from Assam have been given tags, including the Bodo Dokhona, the traditional attire of Bodo women; and Bodo Eri silk.
The Tripura region secured two tags —the Pachra-Rignai, and Matabari Peda, a sweet preparation.
Meghalaya Garo Textile’ weaving, which is linked to socio-cultural and religious rituals, and the ‘Meghalaya Lyrnai Pottery’ and ‘Meghalaya Chubitchi’, have also secured GI tags.
With 69 GI-tagged products, Uttar Pradesh now surpasses Tamil Nadu, which has 58.
Till date, around 635 products in India have been given the GI tag.
The first GI tag in the country was given two decades ago to the famous Darjeeling tea.