• Risa, a handwoven cloth worn by the indigenous communities of Tripura, has got the geographical indication (GI) tag, Chief Minister Manik Saha said.

• He congratulated the artisans, particularly those of the Killa Mahila cluster in Gomati district, for the recognition.

• Risa, which is common in all festivals and social gatherings of the tribes, is used as a headgear, a stole or an upper garment.

• Nowadays, Risa is offered to dignitaries as a mark of respect during government programmes.

• Handloom is the oldest industry in the state and the indigenous people produce their own clothes with elegant designs, unique colour combinations and lasting texture. The traditional items produced include Risa and Riha.

• Risa is usually five feet in length and is wrapped around the upper body. It is beautifully embroidered with unique patterns and comes in vibrant colours.

• One of the earliest indigenous rituals involving the Risa is called ‘Risa Sormani’. According to this ritual, a Risa is gifted to a girl child when she reaches puberty. Her first Risa marks her transition from a girl to becoming a woman.

Benefits of GI tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is used for an agricultural, natural, or a manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

• The GI tag helps producers get the premium price of the product as no other producer can misuse the name to market similar goods.

• Darjeeling tea, Tirupati laddu, Kangra paintings, Nagpur orange, and Kashmir Pashmina are among the registered GIs in India.

• The other benefits of GI registration include legal protection to that item, prevention against unauthorised use by others, and promoting exports.

• There is a proper process of registration of GI products which includes filing of application, preliminary scrutiny and examination, show cause notice, publication in the geographical indications journal, opposition to registration, and registration.

• It is a legal right under which the GI holder can prohibit others from using the same name.

• Geographical Indications Registry is a statutory organisation setup for the administration of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force on September 15, 2003.

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