GI Tag to Gamosa and Five Agricultural Products

In News 

• Recently ,’ Gamocha‘ and Five agricultural products of Kerala have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status.

About Gamosa 

• A ‘gamocha’ literally means a towel and is a handwoven rectangular cotton piece of cloth with red borders and different designs and motifs.
• It is traditionally offered to elders and guests as a mark of respect and honour by Assamese people.
•  It is an integral part of all socio-religious ceremonies in the state and is considered as an Assamese identity and pride.
  • It is a symbol of the culture and identity of Assam.
• Features : For specific purposes, it is also made of expensive materials like traditional Assamese ‘Pat’ silk and in different colours as well.
  • A ‘gamocha’ meant for exchange during ‘Bihu’ festival is known as ‘Bihuwan’. 
  • This unique scarf, which is found only in Assam, is also used as a signifier of reverence while decorating altars or covering religious books.

About Five agricultural products

• Attappady Attukombu Avara (beans): It is cultivated in the Attappady region of Palakkad, and is curved like a goat’s horn as its name indicates.
  •  Its higher anthocyanin content compared to other dolichos beans imparts violet colour in the stem and fruits.
    • Anthocyanin is helpful against cardiovascular diseases along with its antidiabetic properties. 
    • Calcium, protein, and fibre content are also high and the higher phenolic content in it imparts resistance against pests and diseases, making the crop suitable for organic cultivation.
• Attappady Thuvara (red gram): It is having seeds with a white coat. Compared to other red grams, its seeds are bigger and have higher seed weight. 
  • This delicious red gram, which is used as vegetable and dal, is rich in protein, carbohydrate, fibre, calcium and magnesium.
• Kanthalloor-Vattavada Veluthulli (garlic): It contains higher amount of sulphides, flavonoids, and proteins. 
  • It is rich in allicin, which is effective against microbial infections, blood sugar, cancer, cholesterol, heart diseases, and damages to blood vessels..
• Onattukara Ellu (sesame): Onattukara Ellu and its oil are famous for its unique health benefits. Relatively higher antioxidant content in Onattukara Ellu helps in fighting the free radicals, which destroy the body cells. 
  • Also, the high content of unsaturated fat makes it beneficial for heart patients.
• Kodungalloor Pottuvellari (snap melon): It is consumed as juice and in other forms. 
  • This snap melon, which is harvested in summer, is an excellent for quenching thirst. 
  • It contains high amount of Vitamin C and nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, fiber, and fat content are also high.

Source:IE