Went : Tilkut is a sweet whose origin is believed to be from Gaya district of Bihar. This sweet is prepared during cold days and is available for sale for about 2 to 3 months. On the day of Makar Sankranti, Tilkut or other sweets made from sesame or sesame seeds are eaten. Apart from Gaya, Tilkut is made on a large scale in other districts of the state during this festival. There are three big markets of Tilakut in Gaya district which include Ramna Road, Tikari Road and Station Road of Gaya city and Tikari block headquarters and Dangra village of Mohanpur block area.
Different types of Tilkut are made at all the three places, in which the Jaggery Tilkut in Dangra and Tikari is famous throughout the state. Sugar Tilakut of Gaya city also has a different identity. More than 10 thousand people are involved in the business of Tilkut in Gaya district. Due to the increasing recognition and industry of Tilkut, people associated with this business are demanding to give it GI tag. However, applications have been given to give GI tag to Tilkut and its work is in process.
Lalji Prasad, President of Tilkut Business Association of Gaya city, says that Tilkut will not fill the stomach but it is a gift or message which everyone wants to receive. People from Gaya or Bihar who are settled in other places prefer to eat Tilkut from Gaya during Makar Sankranti. Now even through post office and plane service, Tilkut of Gaya has started reaching other places. He told that this was such a gift that years ago officers used to get big jobs done by giving it as gift.
He said that we have been demanding GI tag for giving recognition to Tilkut for two-three years but till now no work is being seen on it. If Tilkut gets the GI tag, then the Tilakut shopkeepers selling it under the name of Gaya’s Tilkut will be banned and the importance of Gaya’s Tilkut will increase. Due to not getting GI tag, people are misusing it as the shopkeeper does not have a patent and this business is only for two to three months.
FIRST PUBLISHED: January 6, 2025, 12:55 IST
