Varanasi, Oct 11 (KNN) To showcase and promote region-specific 'Geographical Indication' (GI) tagged products, the first-ever 'GI Mahotsav' will take place in Varanasi from October 16 to 21.

The exhibition is being organised by the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) of the ministry of commerce in collaboration with the Varanasi district administration at the Trade Facilitation Centre.

As per reports, GI tagged products from 11 states of north India will be at display. Products ranging from sweet delicacies like 'Silao ka khaja', 'khurma' of Ara Udwant Nagar, 'balushahi of Sitamarhi, 'Gaya tilkut', all from Bihar, and 'Banaras lal peda' and 'Banaras tirangi burfi' to the world-famous Banarasi brocades, Kullu shawls, Jaipur blue pottery, and many more will be available for sale.

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, Divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma, said, “the district inspector of schools, the directors of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, the National Institute of Fashion Technology, and the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Bhadohi, have been directed to ensure that exhibition tours are arranged for students so that they can get information about the products.”

GI expert Rajni Kant, who is instrumental in facilitating GI promotion and certification, said that over 100 stalls will be set up to exhibit GI-tagged products from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana.

The GI-tagging encourages the growers and artisans and motivates the marketers to expand their business both nationally and internationally. The GI tagging has acquired even more of an importance over the past few years.  (KNN Bureau)