BJD MPs, Subas Singh, Munna Khan and Mamata Mahant, met the Minister at his office in the Parliament premises in New Delhi and placed a memorandum in favour of their demand. The MPs appraised that Rasabalee is offered to Lord Baladevjew, presiding deity of Kendrapara.
In their memorandum, the MPs mentioned that the first offering of “Rasabalee” as main Prasad to Lord Baladevjew was traced to Ganga dynasty, about 400 years back. Since then, residents of Kendrapara have been preparing and selling the sweet item as their main source of livelihood. Old epics such as “Dandi Ramayana” and “Jagamohan Ramayana” have mentions about “Rasabalee”.
“Even as ‘Rasabalee’ is now being sold across the globe, it is yet to get GI tag,” concerned the MPs.
They even noted that “Rasabalee” remains to be the main attraction in various exhibitions held at different places, including historic Baliyatra in millennium city Cuttack. It is widely sold in New Delhi too.
“Once GI tag is availed to Rasabalee, tourists from across the globe will be attracted to the Tulasi Kshetra (Kendrapara). The tag will also help rise in tourist footfall at biodiversity sites of Bhitarkanika, Hukitula Batighar and sea beach in Kendrapada district,” argued the MPs.