Surajkund Mela to attain international status

Haryanawirenews
CHANDIGARH, January 9
The Surajkund Crafts Mela of Haryana will attain the status of an international event this year with the participation of Egypt, Thailand, Brazil Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 23rd Craft Mela is scheduled to be held from February 1 to 15.
Minister of State for Tourism and Forests Kiran Choudhry said that 23rd Surajkund Crafts Mela would be a very special event with the participation of all these countries. The Mela was already very popular among masses but now with these countries agreeing to participate in the Mela, it would become an international affair from this year onwards.
She said that President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil would inaugurate the Mela on February 1 and she would be accompanied by Union Minister of Tourism Ambika Soni, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and dignitaries of other States.
Giving details about the participation of all the SAARC countries and also of Egypt, Thailand and Brazil in the forthcoming mega event, Mrs Choudhry said that the ten stalls of Egypt with their craftsmen would exhibit various decoration items of the ancient country including Egyptian statues which would showcase the Egyptian culture.
A folk troupe of Ismailia comprising of 12 Egyptians artists would give their performance during the inauguration ceremony in coordination with ICCR. A small group of day performers would give stage performances from February 1 to 15 in the Crafts Mela. A food stall of Egyptian cuisines would also be put in the Food Court and one stall would exclusively provide all the tourism information and details of Egypt.
The Minister said that Craft Mela would showcase the exquisitely rich heritage of the finest handicrafts and handlooms of Egypt. The crafts persons from SAARC countries and Thailand, Brazil and other neighbouring countries would participate in the Crafts Mela. Cultural programmes had also been planned through the North Zone Culture Centre, Patiala, she added.
Mrs Choudhry said that Madhya Pradesh had been selected as the Theme State this year for the second time. She said that craftsmen would showcase the skillfully woven silk and cotton blended sarees, block printed fabrics, stuffed leather toys, floor coverings, folk paintings, bamboo, cane, jute, woodcraft, stone craft, iron craft, metal craft, terra-cotta, papier mache, zari work (gold thread embroidery), ornaments, dolls and many more hand-crafted products of Madhya Pradesh. Folk artists would perform all through the day during the Crafts Mela, she added.
She said that Surajkund has now become a MICE destination with the inauguration of Convention Centre at Hotel Rajhans. Surajkund was just at a distance of 8 kms from South Delhi and it was an ideal place for small entrepreneurs and artists to showcase their products during the Crafts Mela. Surajkund was also a perfect location for holding corporate meets, marriages and parties.