GI Tag for Bodo Products from Assam

4 Oct 2024

The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted GI tags to eight Bodo products.

About Eight GI Bodo Products

Rice Beer Varieties:
  • Bodo Jou Gwran:
  • Contains the highest alcohol content (16.11%) among rice beers.
    • Made by the Bodo community.
  • Maibra Jou Bidwi: 
  • Also called “Maibra Jwu Bidwi” or “Maibra Zwu Bidwi,”.
  • Bodo Jou Gishi:
  • Another traditional rice-based alcoholic beverage.
  •  Believed to have originated from Lord Shiva and considered medicinal.
Traditional Food Items:

  • The Association of Traditional Food Products successfully applied for four GI tags:
  • Bodo Napham: 
  • A fermented fish dish prepared anaerobically in a sealed container for 2-3 months. 
    • Fermentation is a preferred preservation method due to high rainfall and limited fish availability.
  • Bodo Ondla: 
  • A curry made from rice powder, flavoured with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali.
  • Bodo Gwkha: 
  • Also called “Gwka Gwkhi,” prepared during the Bwisagu festival.
  • Bodo Narzi:
  • A semi-fermented dish made from jute leaves, which are rich in Omega 3, vitamins, calcium, and magnesium.
Traditional Clothing: Bodo Aronai

  • A small traditional cloth (1.5-2.5 meters long, 0.5 meter wide), received a GI tag after an application by the Association of Traditional Bodo Weavers.
  • Bodo traditions are reflected in dance, music, festivals, and clothing, with designs inspired by nature, including trees, flowers, mountains, and birds.

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What is a GI Tag?

  • A Geographical Indication (GI tag) is a label for products that come from a specific place and have special qualities linked to that region.

Other GI Tags in Assam

  • Assam (Orthodox) Logo
  • Muga Silk of Assam (Logo)
  • Joha Rice
  • Boka Chaul
  • Muga Silk
  • Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger
  • Tezpur Litchi
  • Kaji Nemu
  • Chokuwa Rice
  • Gamosa

  • Type of Protection: It acts as a legal right to protect the product’s quality and reputation based on its origin.
  • Legal Framework
    • International Recognition: GI tags are accepted under global agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS Agreement.
  • Types of Products
    • Wide Range: GI tags apply to various products like food items, agricultural products, wines, handicrafts, and more.
    • Specific Qualities: The product must have unique qualities or characteristics tied to its region.

Benefits of a GI Tag

  • Prevents Misuse: It stops others from using the label for products that don’t meet the set standards.
  • Exclusive Use: Only authorised producers can use the GI tag for their products.
  • Protection from Copying: Protects against imitation or fake versions of the product.
  • Legal Action: Producers can take legal steps against anyone violating their GI rights.

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Bodo Community

  • Origin: The Boro (or Bodo) is an ethnolinguistic group from Assam, India.
  • Geographical Spread: They live mainly in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam but are also present in other districts of Assam and Meghalaya.

Recognition and Language

  • Scheduled Tribe Status: Listed as “Boro” and “Borokachari” in The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
  • Boro Language: A Boro-Garo language of the Tibeto-Burman family, recognized as one of India’s 22 Scheduled languages.
  • Bilingualism: Most Boros speak Assamese as a second language.

Historical Background

  • Prehistoric Settlers: The Boro and other Bodo-Kachari groups migrated over 3,000 years ago.
  • Occupation: Primarily settled farmers with traditional irrigation systems called “dong.”

Special Status

  • Plains Tribe: Recognized under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • Autonomous Region: They have special powers in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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