GUWAHATI: A long-awaited demand of the people of Assam has been fulfilled as the traditional Gamocha finally gets a GI Tag.
Gamocha is an essential part of the Assamese lifestyle and identity. But in recent times, it was noticed that machine-made products from different parts of the country were flooding the local markets. This becomes more noticeable during the festive season when the demand for gamocha increases manifold.
The Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, Government of Assam had placed an application requesting GI Tag for gamocha in October of 2017. And following the necessary process, the Geographical Indication Registry finally granted the status on December 13 of 2022. Gamosa of Assam is the name given for the tag. It has been allocated the number 594 and belongs to class 24 of the registry.
"The Registrar of Geographical Indication of India has granted GI recognition to the very popular Gomocha of Assamese It is a moment of pride for the people of Assam Assam Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Department of Handicrafts and Textiles and Assam Agricultural University played a special role in making this process a success Everyone deserves to be thanked for this recognition will especially help the artisans of Assam," shared Kesab Mahanta on social media along with a copy of the GI Tag certificate. He is the MLA from the Koliabor constituency and the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Information Technology, Science and Technology for the Government of Assam.
This step will be very helpful for weavers of the state who were adversely affected by counterfeit products in the market. The Union Ministry of Textile recently mentioned that the state of Assam has the highest concentration of weavers in the country.
Assam Government is expected to undertake a strict crackdown on those who bring in these machine-made gamochas from other states and sell them in Assam.
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