Nagaland Governor releases special cover on GI-tagged ‘Naga Tree Tomato’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 6 (EMN): Governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi released a special cover on the “Naga Tree Tomato,” a geographical indication (GI) tagged product of the state, at Raj Bhavan in Kohima on Monday.

Expressing happiness on the occasion, Ravi said that “something special and unique about Nagaland is getting not only recognised but also getting due publicity across the country and the world”, and for that, he lauded the department of Posts for its initiative in wide promotion of indigenous products.

The governor said that the government of Nagaland “is not even aware of the state’s diversity”, maintaining it has an enormous diversity in terms of culture, people, languages, cuisines, natural products etc. as the rest of the north-eastern states.

Referring to the GI-tagged “Naga Mircha” and “Chakhesang Shawl”, which got special covers released last month, he highlighted how handicrafts and products of the state could “attract immediate attention and catch the eyes of the people across the country and the world” with good promotion.

Despite numerous items and products available in the state, “unfortunately we have very limited visibility,” he lamented.

As such, Ravi emphasised on the role of the state government in giving adequate visibility to the unique products of the state for economic advantages besides promoting the items globally.

He also stressed on the importance of GI-tagging a product, saying that it prevents duplication and replication but ‘becomes an intellectual property’.

Through GI tagging, Ravi said, products were being tested, verified and certified, thus enabling consumers purchase such items knowing that they were genuine commodities from a particular place. He also explained how GI-tagged products could give an exclusive market access.

He went on to say that the state government should identify products, be it agricultural, horticultural, or handiwork that are special to the state, and apply for GI tagging for its benefits.

He also urged the district administrations and civil societies to take initiative in their respective areas for the same so that identified products could be shortlisted at the state level before going through the process of verification.

Meanwhile, Chief Postmaster General, North East Circle, Amitabh Kharkwal, said that special covers are released to “commemorate an important event or an item of great significance”.

Stressing on the importance of IG-tagging, he said that it not only prevents unauthorised use of a registered GI product by a third party but also provides legal protection, which in turn can boost its sales and exports.

Kharkwal informed that the department of Posts, North East Circle, had taken the initiative of releasing special covers on all the 19 GI products of the North East, including the “Naga Tree Tomato”.

He went on to inform that special covers on “Naga Mircha” and “Chakhesang Shawl”, two other GI-tagged products from Nagaland, were released on August 15 and 28 respectively.

It was learnt that the special cover of “Naga Tree Tomato” would be displayed at the National Philatelic Museum in New Delhi and sold across India, as well as display outside the country, thereby highlighting its association with Nagaland with the rest of the world.

The release of “Naga Tree Tomato” special cover was also attended by Postmaster General, North East-II Region, Som Kamei, who delivered the vote of thanks, and other senior officers of the state government.