Jaderi namakatti

About Jaderi namakatti: 

• These are clay sticks that are white in colour, usually available in finger-like shape with a smooth texture. 
• Jaderi is a small village in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu.
• There are around 120 families in Cheyyar taluk whose primary occupation has been the making of namakatti for more than hundreds of years now.
• Namakatti is made up of the rich deposit of hydrous silicate minerals that form fine grain particles of clay.
• The clay is processed and shaped in a finger-like structure.
• The production of namakatti depends on the climatic condition as it needs a lot of sunlight to dry.
• It is used to adorn the foreheads of idols, men, and temple elephants as well as traditionally to treat stretch marks caused by childbirth.

Key facts about Geographical Indication

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Q1) What are Silicate minerals?

Silicate minerals are a class of minerals that make up the vast majority of the Earth's crust. They are characterized by their basic building block, the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron (SiO4), which consists of a silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. These tetrahedra can link together in various ways to form a wide range of silicate mineral structures.

Source: Watch | How is GI-tagged Jaderi namakatti made in Tamil Nadu?