Tripura aims at GI tag for indigenous ‘Risha’

Agartala: In an effort to give global recognition to Tripura’s hand-woven indigenous cloth Risha, most popularly used as a neck scarf, the state government is set to send a proposal to the central government seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the product.

Earlier, Tripura’s Queen Pineapple was accorded the status, Chief Executive Officer Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission Dr Vishal Kumar said.

“By the month of June, all necessary documents required for the product — ‘Risha’ – will be submitted with the central government. We are also trying to make sure that the quality of the product could be improved and necessary value addition done as soon as possible for making it suitable for the global market,” he added.

According to the official, within a year or two the results will be visible.

It may also be mentioned here that Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has left no stones unturned to promote the traditional scarf of Tripura’s tribal communities. Deb and his government turned the product into a style statement, adding a sense of identity with it. Earlier, the government had declared “Risha” a handloom brand.

According to experts of tribal culture, Risha has multiple uses as per tribal traditions. While the tribal women wear it as an upper garment, people offer this piece of cloth as a token of respect in social events. In the past few years, Risha has also succeeded in become a style statement as people from all sections have started using it as a stole or attractive neck wear with modern dressing. Some specific tribal communities also use this cloth as in a turban-like headgear setting during cultural performances.

Tribal community heads and senior leaders cutting across political lines have welcomed the step. Tripura’s Queen variety Pineapple also saw massive success as the product is now being exported to various countries across the globe after the GIT tag was granted.

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