VARANASI, April 12 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to 21 traditional products from the state during his visit to Varanasi on Friday.

Among the newly certified items were the iconic Banarasi Tabla and the Banarasi Bharwan Mirch, both now officially recognised for their unique regional identity.

With a total of 77 GI-certified products, Uttar Pradesh currently holds the top position in India. The Kashi region alone accounts for 32 GI tags, making it a global hub of GI-recognised items.

The ceremony not only celebrated the diversity of Uttar Pradesh but also highlighted the success of the Yogi Adityanath government's flagship 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) initiative, according to an o...