- Dindigul lock and Kandangi saree from Tamil Nadu have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Dindigul locks are made in an area of 5 km in and around Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. The lock is world famous for their superior quality and durability, and the Dindigul city is often referred to as the “Lock City”.
- The Kandangi sarees are manufactured in the entire Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. They are characterised by large contrast borders.
- GI is an Intellectual Property Right. It is a status accorded to a good which is unique to a particular region or area, and is originated from there.
- The GI tag in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection Act), 1999 and is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Good in the categories of a) Agricultural products (e.g. Nagpur Orange), b) foodstuffs (e.g. Joynagar Moa), c) handicrafts (e.g. Agates of Cambay), d) textile (e.g. Kullu Shawl), e) natural products (e.g. Makrana Marble) and f) manufactured products (e.g. Kannauj Perfume) come under the ambit of GI Tags.
- Darjeeling Tea is the first good to receive a GI Tag in India.
