Context:
The Uttar Pradesh state government has decided to gift GI-tagged Gulabi meenakari handicrafts to the visiting delegates from G20 nations.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Gulabi meenakari handicraft:
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Gulabi Meenakari Handicraft: A Unique Craft from Varanasi
- Gulabi Meenakari is a rare and exquisite craft practiced in the lanes of Varanasi, near Gai Ghat, in India.
- Varanasi is renowned for its exquisite Gulabi Meenakari handicraft, which showcases the skill and creativity of the artisans in the
- Originating from Persia, this art form involves the coloring of metal surfaces by fusing different colors.
- The art was brought to Varanasi during the Mughal era in the early 17th century by Persian enamellists.
- The word “mina” comes from the Persian word “Minoo,” meaning “heaven,” referring to the azure color of the sky.
- In Varanasi, Gulabi Meenakari is primarily practiced on jewelry and home decor items.
- The craft utilizes simple tools such as salai (etching tool), kiln, metal palette, mortar and pestle, kalam (enamel application tool), brass dye, small scrubbing brush, forceps, and takala (needle-like tool for applying colors).
Gulabi Meenakari is popularly found in three forms:
- Ek Rang Khula Meena: Only gold outlines are exposed, and a single transparent color is used.
- Panch Rangi Meena: Five colors – red, white, green, light blue, and dark blue – are employed.
- Gulabi Meena: Pink is the dominant color in this form.
Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Definition and Importance:
- Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
- They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
- GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.
Administration and Registration:
- Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.
Significance and Examples:
- GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
- The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
- Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.
Ownership and Proprietorship:
- Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
- The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
- Protection and Enforcement:
- Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
- Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.
Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:
- The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.
-Source: Times of India
