Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s first Geographical Identification (GI) store has been opened near Master Canteen Square Janpath in Bhubaneswar.
Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy inaugurated the first-of-its-kind venture of researcher Anita Sabat and entrepreneur Amrita Sabat on Friday evening, which included a Chhenapoda cutting ceremony.
The store entirely deals with GI registered and certified, traditional, and local products sourced from producers, weavers, artists, artisans, and farmer groups engaged in heritage-based economic activities. The state currently has 26 GI products.
“This store highlights support for GI products, focus on cultural heritage, “vocal for local” and “vocal for GI” promotion, and community development. This is an attempt to raise awareness and explore the GI Heritage of Odisha all under one roof,” the founders said, adding that efforts have been made to source the maximum possible products.
These include Odisha Ikat, Kotpad, Sambalpuri Bandha, Khandua, Bomkar, Pipili applique work, Pattachitra, Konark stone carving, Kandhamal turmeric, ‘Khajuri Guda’, rasagola, among others. Some other products like Talapatra Khodei, Santhal Sarees, Dhokra for which GI applications have been submitted, but under process, are also available.