The Dimasa community in Assam has taken its first initiative to get the GI (Geographical Indication) tag for Judima, its traditional brew.

A leading organisation of Dima Hasao district has moved the Assam Agriculture University (AAU) for its support to get the GI tag.

The Youth Association for Development and Empowerment (YADEM) submitted its proposal to Intellectual Property Right Act (IPRA) cell of AAU, asking its support for submission of the “prayer of the Dimasa community” through a proper channel to Chennai-based GI office to take forward the initiative.

“We have submitted all documents as suggested by the IPRA cell of the university. We are the first organisation in the northeastern region to move for GI tag for a community’s traditional wine,” the association’s executive member Bankim Phonglo said.

Judima, prepared from rice, is consumed in all the Dimasa-dominated belts in the Northeast. It is closely associated with the Dimasas’ social and cultural life. It is popular among non-indigenous people in central Assam and in Dimapur in neighbouring Nagaland for its taste and quality.

Judima is the second item of the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao for which GI tag has been initiated so far. In 2007, then Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu moved Chennai, praying for GI tag for ginger of Karbi Anglong. The prayer was accepted and ginger got GI tag two years back.

“Judima is closely associated with the lifestyle and emotion of every Dimasa household,” association member Uttam Bathari said.

Executive member (tourism) of the NC Hills Autonomous Council, Kulendra Daulagupu, on Sunday said all possible support would be provided to the organisation in getting the GI tag for Judima.

“If all goes well, Judima will get its identity in 2019,” Phonglo said.