Authorities of the Geographical Indications Registry on Tuesday offered necessary support to Bandar laddu manufacturers to register as Geographical Indication Tag Users. Bandar laddu was registered in the GIR under the food category in 2017, geographically confining its production to Machilipatnam town.

On Tuesday, GIR, Chennai, and Brundavanapura Bandar Laddu Manufacturers Welfare Association organised a workshop, creating awareness on the benefits of GI tag and creating a brand across the globe.

Former Additional Chief Secretary Gonela Rajendra Prasad opined that the GI tag would help to tap the national and international markets for Bandar laddu if the eligible manufacturers registered their units as ‘GI users’.

Historical evidence

Mr. Prasad was one of the key sources who strived for the GI tag for the Bandar laddu. Deputy Registrar of Geographical Indications Registry Chinnaraja G. Naidu explained the benefits and legal procedures in protecting Bandar laddu from getting copied by any other manufacturers outside Machilipatnam.

The GI tag is given based on the historical evidence that establishes the food variety’s association with Machilipatnam and technical procedure in preparation of the Bandar laddu.

Bandar Laddu GI authorised User and association president Gowra Venkateswara Rao shared his experiences of his journey in getting the laddu registered by the GIR. Machilipatnam-based Historian Mohammad Silar, G.J.D. Pavan, Patent, Trademark and GI Agent S. Ravi spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – September 26th, 2018