Northeast Desk, 31st March: Two quintessential products from Tripura, namely the Peda of Mata Bari (Tripura Sundari Temple) and the traditional attire known as Pachra or Rignai textile, have been granted Geographical Indications (GI) Tags, signifying their unique regional identity and quality.
The Dewanbari Mahila Cluster Behumukhi Samabaya Samity Ltd, led by its president, Ms. Padma Buli Jamatia of Udaipur under Gomati District, spearheaded the application for the GI tag for the Tripura Pachra-Rignai textile.
Pachra, a traditional textile woven skillfully on handlooms, serves as a lower garment for Tripura’s women, typically paired with a risa, a shorter cloth covering the upper body.
Simultaneously, the Peda of Mata Bari (Tripura Sundari Temple), renowned for its exquisite taste and religious significance, also secured the coveted GI tag. The application for the tag was submitted by Matabari Mahila Cluster Level Bahumukhi Samabaya Samity Ltd, led by its president, Baby Das in Udaipur, Gomati District.
Peda, a delectable sweet crafted from the pindi variety of khoa blended with sugar, boasts a distinctive circular, slightly flattened shape with a creamy white hue and smooth texture. It holds a revered status as a sacred offering, or “Prasad,” during temple worship ceremonies.
The Matabari Peda market, a hub for this renowned sweet, draws visitors with its array of stores offering the famed delicacy. Despite its outward resemblance to typical pedas made from cow milk and sugar, Matabari Peda stands out for its exceptional quality and cultural significance.
According to the Geographical Indications Registry report, approximately 500 individuals are actively engaged in the ‘Peda’ trade, including shop proprietors, workers, and support staff. Women play a pivotal role in ensuring quality milk production in villages, with many affiliated with self-help groups, forming the backbone of the traditional Matabari Peda.
The association of ‘Peda’ traders, after a hiatus of five years, has unanimously agreed to raise prices from Rs 400 per kg to Rs 440 per kg, reflecting the increased demand and production costs. Additionally, the number of ‘Peda’ shops is set to increase from 72 to 80, with preparations underway to produce one-third of the usual quantity ahead of the Deepavali festival. Last year witnessed the production of 2,000 kilograms of Peda in anticipation of the festive season.
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