Uttar Pradesh's GI Club Expands: Four Unique Products Join the Prestigious List!

The list of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products from Uttar Pradesh has recently expanded, with four additional products receiving the prestigious GI tag. Baghpat Home Furnishing, Amroha Dholak, Kalpi Handmade paper, and Barabanki Handloom have joined the elite club of recognized goods, bringing the total count of GI certified products from the state to an impressive 52, as reported by TOI. The GI tag for these products was granted on Wednesday after a meticulous process involving legal and technical procedures. Renowned GI expert Rajni Kant, who was awarded the Padma Shri, spearheaded the efforts through his organization, Human Welfare Association (HWA). Kant highlighted that the applications for GI registration were submitted to the GI Registry in Chennai in collaboration with NABARD, Uttar Pradesh, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 and 2020. Kant further explained, "After a long legal and technical process, all these four ODOP products obtained GI status on June 14, and they are now recognized as part of the country's intellectual property." Notably, Kalpi Handmade paper stands out as the first in its category to receive the GI tag, adding to the town's cultural and historical significance. Kalpi handmade paper, known for its association with the traditional songs of 'Alha Udal Ki Ladai,' has a rich heritage dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Amroha dholaks are skillfully created by craftsmen who carve hollow blocks from Mango and Sheesham wood, which are then fitted with animal skin, predominantly goatskin, to create the instruments. These exceptional products are not only distributed across the country but are also exported to major destinations. The addition of these four products to Uttar Pradesh's GI list is a testament to the state's remarkable cultural diversity and its commitment to preserving and promoting traditional crafts and industries. It provides a boost to the artisans and manufacturers involved, ensuring wider recognition and protection for their unique creations.

Why Are the NABARD Officials Surprised by a 34-Year-Old’s Micro-Hydel Power Plant?

Water is an abundant resource that has been used for centuries as a means of generating power. But one 34-year-old college dropout from Bayang village in India has taken it a step further by developing a micro-hydel power plant using unconventional materials like bamboo to produce free electricity for his village. Kedar Prasad Mahto's groundbreaking invention has captured the attention of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which sees potential in his plant to power small-scale farmers for cultivation. Mahto's passion for his village and its people has driven him to create a cost-effective solution to the high costs of building hydel power plants using conventional technology. Mahto's plant, which required only Rs 3 lakh of his own investment, has successfully generated 5KV of free power to illuminate the streets and temple in the village. NABARD officials have been impressed with Mahto's innovative approach to generating electricity and are exploring the possibility of financing similar initiatives in other villages. According to them, Mahto's model has the potential to produce up to 2MW of power, which would cost just Rs 2 crore to build, a fraction of the cost of conventional plants. Mahto's plant, made from bamboo sticks and a homemade turbine, has not only brought free electricity to his village but also opened up new possibilities for rural communities across India. The future looks bright for Mahto and his micro-hydel power plant, which has the potential to transform the lives of farmers and rural communities across the country.