The West Bengal government is sending two varieties of superior quality rice — Gobindabhog and Tulaipanji — to London Olympics to be served to guests there, State Minister for Agricultural Marketing, Arup Roy, said on Wednesday.
“The rice varieties have a unique taste and flavour, even better than Basmati. We hope that by sending them, we can promote agricultural products from the State,” Mr. Roy told The Hindu .
The two varieties would be sent with the brand name “Bangakrishisri.” While Gobindabhog is grown in districts such as Bardhaman, Birbhum and Nadia, Tulaipanji is grown at Uttar Dinajpur and adjoining areas of the State.
Mr. Roy said that permission to export the rice was received from the Ministry of Commerce last month. “Out of the 50 kg of rice being sent from the country to the Olympics, the State is sending 20 kg — 10 each of Gobindabhog and Tulaipanji.” The Minister said he got the idea to export the two varieties to London after they evoked a very enthusiastic response at the International Trade Fair in New Delhi in August 2011.
