GI Samagam Calls For Push To Register 10k GIs

With the first Geographical Indications (GI) Samagam conducted under the aegis of DPIIT and India Today at New Delhi on 22 January, the message from the government is very clear. Time has come to spread the GI movement across all states and districts in 2025 and start by identifying products which are rich in heritage and tradition from handicrafts, textiles, agriculture, natural goods and food stuff in India and get them GI tagged.

India has 658 registered GIs as on date and with Minister Piyush Goyal’s announcement at the GI Samagam to target the registrations to 10,000 products by 2030, the entire machinery and stakeholders must spring into action. With a meagre 360 authorized user in 2014 to 29,000 in 2024, the authorized users of GI has phenomenally increased over the years. Still there is a long way to go to work on GI branding, enforcement, packaging, sustainability and authenticity of the GI products in our country. Another area which needs attention is the export market for GIs to be created and this can be done by first promoting tourism where people get curious about a place first followed by its product and then the people making the product.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have 35 plus GI products till date and the target is to make it to 50 by 2025 and 100 by 2027. Both the Telugu states have identified over 22 products in agriculture, horticulture and handicrafts which need to be worked for registration.

The GI Samagam was a perfect amalgamation of policy makers, practitioners and producers to come on one platform and share the challenges and opportunities. GIs must be made brands and stories must be built around with thoughts to be created to make it sell. I believe fusion will play a key role for GIs to sell and make business. For instance, the Assam Tea served with Sikkim large cardamon is a perfect blend of two GIs, or the Cheriyal paintings motif being used in a Pochampally Ikat could be trend setters. No two products are the same and that’s the beauty of GIs as they don’t compete among themselves. What began to promote one district one product (ODOP) and organic certification has eventually led to identifying many new GI products for registration which now needs to be carried in top gear.

With a very super ambitious target being set for registration of 10,000 GIs , the Kashi GI Hub model looks promising, where in the spiritual town there are more than 30 GIs filed and registered. This was done over a period of time where in the producers felt the need and the pride to GI tag their legacy, livelihood and identity. While registration is one side of the coin, the other side also needs to be worked upon. The areas of GI commercialization with branding need huge R&D. Also, technology and design can play a significant role in traceability, authenticity and packaging of these GI products.

I sincerely believe that for GI to be successful everyone has to contribute in the ecosystem equally starting from producers, to consumers to supply chain and also the government in making this work in domestic and international markets. The approach has to be top down, with PM Modi making a clarion call to celebrate “Har Ghar Tiranga” on eve of Independence Day, celebrations across the country began following this, the same needs to be made as “Ghar Ghar GI” to make our products reach every household and make it a point to gift or buy a GI on any occasion from now on. Lastly, I believe the biggest GI brand ambassador in India is our Prime Minister himself who is supporting the vocal for local with his support extended through the government for registrations of more GI products in the country. Next time you want to gift anything to you near a dear one, gift a GI, gift a tradition for them to remember you and the product for life.

(The writer is Head- Legal & IPR, Resolute Group of Companies)