A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign/mark allotted to an artefact or a commodity that originates in a particular region and has its own unique identity. A GI right empowers the bearer to restrict the indication from being used by any other person whose quality does not meet the required criteria. In India, Geographical Indication tags are governed under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Banarasi Paan and Langda Mango are the latest entrants in the Geographical Indications club. Banarasi Paan and Langda Mango from the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh were granted their Geographical Indications on March 31st 2023 by the GI Registry, Chennai. Uttar Pradesh, apart from these food items, also received Geographical Indications on March 31st for:
· Aligarh Tala
· Bakharia Brassware
· Banda Shazar Patthar Craft
· Pratapgarh Aonla
· Ramnagar Bhanta
· Muzaffarnagar Gur (jaggery)
· Nagina Wood Craft
· Hathras Hing
Banarasi Paan
*We do not claim any copyright in the above image. The same has been reproduced for academic and representational purposes only”.
Banarasi paan is in itself a lot more than a refreshing savoury, it is, in fact, a food with a wonderful experience. The Banarasi paan which gained fame because of the song, “Khaike paan banaras wala” iconised by Amitabh Bachchan is an exotic combination of areca nuts, catechu (kattha) of fresh betel leaf, tobacco, slaked lime, to which other ingredients like rose petals (gulkand), silver foil (varakh) etc. are added. One can easily spot a paan shop in the famous streets of Banaras and a paan wala serving the freshly prepared paan in his own unique style. After all, ‘Banarasi paan served in Banarasi style' is what truly represents the authenticity of the famous paan.
Banarasi paan is delightfully rich in both taste and variety. Maghai and Jagannath paan are not the only two variants of paan; astonishingly Banaras has a huge assortment of Banarasi paans. The price range of the famous paan starts with Rs.15 upto Rs. 5,000 which depends on its ingredients and the method of preparation and the richer the ingredients, the costlier the paan may be.
Banarasi Langra Aam
*We do not claim any copyright in the above image. The same has been reproduced for academic and representational purposes only”.
The 'Langra' mango, also known as Banarasi Langra, is a mango cultivar primarily grown in Bangladesh, Varanasi, or Banaras, Northern India.
This cultivar retains a greenish tinge while ripening. Around 2006, it was known to be gaining popularity on the international market. It is considered suitable for slicing and canning. Oval in shape, quite aromatic, with a green skin and irresistibly delicious, the Langra Aam is normally harvested during the last half of July.
The word ‘Langra’ in Hindi means ‘lame’ in English. The history of Langra Aam dates back to 250-300 years. It is believed that there was a lame man in Banaras who ate a variety of mango and planted the seed in his backyard. This man was called ‘Langra’ by his friends and peers.
With these additions, Uttar Pradesh now has 45 goods bearing Geographical Indications with 20 coming from Varanasi.
In the last few years, with its One District One Product Scheme, Uttar Pradesh is promoting its indigenous products to gain GI tags. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the G7 summit promoted the local products of Varanasi at an international level. This is giving a boost to the local markets of Uttar Pradesh.
According to the GI expert, Padma Shri Rajni Kant, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Lucknow, played an instrumental role in helping the local products get a GI and around 20 lakh farmers are engaged in the production of GI goods in Varanasi and eastern UP. With this, the annual turnover has reached around 25500 crores.
