Bhubaneswar, Sep 12: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the iconic ‘Sarsatia’ — a traditional sweet — from Sambalpur is on track to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique cultural and culinary heritage.

The announcement was made during a press interaction, where Pradhan emphasized the importance of preserving traditional crafts and promoting regional identity.

The GI tag process is already underway, with the Sambalpur district administration actively coordinating with the Department of Industry and Commerce. The Union Minister assured that he is personally monitoring the progress from Delhi, and expressed confidence that Sambalpur will soon emerge as a global brand through this recognition.

Sarsatia, a rare dessert made from Ganjer tree resin, rice flour, and sugar, has been handcrafted by local artisans for generations. Its medicinal properties and deep cultural ties — especially its use in offerings to Maa Samaleswari — make it a symbol of Odisha’s rich heritage.

In addition to cultural preservation, Union Minister Pradhan addressed concerns over Odisha’s absence from the top 100 ranks in the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework).

He attributed this to “past governance lapses” and stressed that the “current administration is taking corrective steps”. “Reforms include amendments to university recruitment laws, ensuring that vacant posts for professors and vice-chancellors are now being filled,” he stated.

He urged citizens to question those who governed for decades — taking a subtle dig at Naveen Patnaik and BJD — without addressing these gaps and reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening higher education in Odisha. “In the last 15 months, we’ve made sincere efforts to resolve longstanding issues,” he said.

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