Assam’s poll-bound Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) has the usual issues. It also has a new topic of discussion — Geographical Indication or GI tags for its traditional products, crafts, and agricultural items.
Elections in the 8,970 sq. km. BTR, governed by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), are scheduled on September 22. The council has 40 constituencies spread across five districts, all bordering Bhutan.
Also read: Regional rivals urged to unite ahead of Bodoland polls in Assam
A team of Bodo youth undertook an initiative that helped the BTR government get GI registration for 21 items, including local textiles and traditional alcoholic beverages. Awareness about the inherent benefits of such tagging virtually triggered a race among 26 indigenous communities to register their cultural artefacts.
The core members of the team are biotechnologist Ling Narzihary, artist Swapna Muchahary, social worker Kansai Brahma, and entrepreneurs Nachani Brahma, Pulak Basumatary, and Ranjila Mohilary.
