by Haryananewswire (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, JAN 31
Surajkund Crafts Mela can be given status of international level Crafts Mela. This was disclosed by the Union Secretary of Tourism and Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority, Mr R.H. Khwaja while addressing a press conference at Faridabad today.
Mr Khwaja said that Surajkund Crafts Mela has earned a good reputation and recognition as more and more foreign countries were participating every year in the Mela. He said that it is for the
States to raise the level of their festivals to attract more and more tourists and if such a proposal is sent, it would be favourably considered.
Mr Khwaja said that 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela would commence from February 1, 2012 and the State of Assam is participating as the Theme State in the Mela for the second time. Thailand is the Partner Nation in this year’s Surajkund Crafts Mela. It has been decided by the Government of India that the country, whose Head of the State is invited as Chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi would be the Partner Nation for the Surajkund Crafts Mela. Prime Minister of Thailand was the chief guest on Republic Day Parade this year and presence of Thailand will add international flavour to the Mela, he added.
Mela is scheduled to be inaugurated by Smt. Miera Kumar, Speaker of Lok Sabha. Union Minister of Tourism, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay is also expected to be present on this occasion. Entry ticket has been fixed at Rs. 50 for the visitors. Fifty per cent concession has been provided for differently challenged persons, ex-servicemen, serving personnel and senior citizens, whereas the entry for freedom fighters will be free of cost. Tickets are also available through e-ticketing on line as well as off line.
Elaborate arrangements have been made in this regard. Parking area has been increased. District Administration, Municipal Corporation Faridabad and Police are cooperating. About 1000 police persons have been put on duty. CCTV coverage has also been increased.
The Chairman of Surajkund Mela Authority said that for the first time, the Mela will also see the presence of SAARC nations. Crafts persons and artists from Thailand and SAARC countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan will make their presence felt in the Mela. Besides them, Eurasian countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and South African country Congo would also participate in the Mela.
Over 700 crafts persons from India and abroad will showcase their products in this 15-day long carnival. Most of the Indian craft persons are national and state awardees, he added. Besides the displaying the craft products of Assam, the ‘Apna Ghar’ of Assam made with bamboo, opposite theme state pavilion, will habitat a family from Assam so that the people could get a glimpse of the Assamese way of living.
He said that it has become one of the most important events on the Indian Tourism map showcasing the fascinating display of exotic culture, and ancient crafts and traditions and glimpses of Indian heritage. The Mela has pioneered in promoting the richness of Indian art, crafts and culture.
Mr Khwaja appreciated the role of Haryana Government in organising the Mela, although the Mela is organised under the aegis of Union Ministry of Tourism and various agencies like Development
Commissioners of Handicrafts and Handlooms and Ministries of Culture and External Affairs also make collective efforts.
Talking about the ambience of the Mela, Mr Khawaja said that it gives a feel of Mini India. The humdrum of the two Chaupals and a host of events at the Natyashala every evening will add to the sumptuousness of our culture. It provides an opportunity to the crafts persons to display their arts and crafts at the national platform, where exporters and buyers can meet the craftspersons without any middlemen.
As compared to about 500 work huts last year, nearly 600 work huts have been fabricated this year in the Mela. There is a separate enclosure for the Food Court where variety of food and snacks will be
made available not only from different States, but from other countries also.
Mr Khwaja urged the organising agencies to maintain better coordination among themselves and take care of security and hygiene aspects in the Mela premises. Tourists, particularly foreign tourists,
come for the quality of experience and a clean environment is the first thing that appeals them. Plastic will be discouraged in the Mela and e-controlled clean toilets have been installed in the Mela
premises this time.
Earlier, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Tourism, Haryana, Mr Dhanpat Singh and Managing Director of Haryana Tourism and Member Administration Surajkund Mela Authority, Mr Anand Mohan Sharan gave details of the arrangements made for the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela. Regarding Partner Nation, it was said that this year arrangement for a helicopter joy ride to see the Mela has also been made. The joy ride, costing Rs. 2000, will be for four-five minutes from a suitable height, so that it does not disturb the ambience of the Mela.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Finance, Government of Assam, Mr Himanshu Shekhar Dass said that Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Tarun Gagoi will also attend the inaugural event of the Mela. Theme State Assam has been given 50 stalls, out of which 30 stalls will be given to weavers where different tribes of the State would showcase their products.
CHANDIGARH, JAN 31
Surajkund Crafts Mela can be given status of international level Crafts Mela. This was disclosed by the Union Secretary of Tourism and Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority, Mr R.H. Khwaja while addressing a press conference at Faridabad today.
Mr Khwaja said that Surajkund Crafts Mela has earned a good reputation and recognition as more and more foreign countries were participating every year in the Mela. He said that it is for the
States to raise the level of their festivals to attract more and more tourists and if such a proposal is sent, it would be favourably considered.
Mr Khwaja said that 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela would commence from February 1, 2012 and the State of Assam is participating as the Theme State in the Mela for the second time. Thailand is the Partner Nation in this year’s Surajkund Crafts Mela. It has been decided by the Government of India that the country, whose Head of the State is invited as Chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi would be the Partner Nation for the Surajkund Crafts Mela. Prime Minister of Thailand was the chief guest on Republic Day Parade this year and presence of Thailand will add international flavour to the Mela, he added.
Mela is scheduled to be inaugurated by Smt. Miera Kumar, Speaker of Lok Sabha. Union Minister of Tourism, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay is also expected to be present on this occasion. Entry ticket has been fixed at Rs. 50 for the visitors. Fifty per cent concession has been provided for differently challenged persons, ex-servicemen, serving personnel and senior citizens, whereas the entry for freedom fighters will be free of cost. Tickets are also available through e-ticketing on line as well as off line.
Elaborate arrangements have been made in this regard. Parking area has been increased. District Administration, Municipal Corporation Faridabad and Police are cooperating. About 1000 police persons have been put on duty. CCTV coverage has also been increased.
The Chairman of Surajkund Mela Authority said that for the first time, the Mela will also see the presence of SAARC nations. Crafts persons and artists from Thailand and SAARC countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan will make their presence felt in the Mela. Besides them, Eurasian countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and South African country Congo would also participate in the Mela.
Over 700 crafts persons from India and abroad will showcase their products in this 15-day long carnival. Most of the Indian craft persons are national and state awardees, he added. Besides the displaying the craft products of Assam, the ‘Apna Ghar’ of Assam made with bamboo, opposite theme state pavilion, will habitat a family from Assam so that the people could get a glimpse of the Assamese way of living.
He said that it has become one of the most important events on the Indian Tourism map showcasing the fascinating display of exotic culture, and ancient crafts and traditions and glimpses of Indian heritage. The Mela has pioneered in promoting the richness of Indian art, crafts and culture.
Mr Khwaja appreciated the role of Haryana Government in organising the Mela, although the Mela is organised under the aegis of Union Ministry of Tourism and various agencies like Development
Commissioners of Handicrafts and Handlooms and Ministries of Culture and External Affairs also make collective efforts.
Talking about the ambience of the Mela, Mr Khawaja said that it gives a feel of Mini India. The humdrum of the two Chaupals and a host of events at the Natyashala every evening will add to the sumptuousness of our culture. It provides an opportunity to the crafts persons to display their arts and crafts at the national platform, where exporters and buyers can meet the craftspersons without any middlemen.
As compared to about 500 work huts last year, nearly 600 work huts have been fabricated this year in the Mela. There is a separate enclosure for the Food Court where variety of food and snacks will be
made available not only from different States, but from other countries also.
Mr Khwaja urged the organising agencies to maintain better coordination among themselves and take care of security and hygiene aspects in the Mela premises. Tourists, particularly foreign tourists,
come for the quality of experience and a clean environment is the first thing that appeals them. Plastic will be discouraged in the Mela and e-controlled clean toilets have been installed in the Mela
premises this time.
Earlier, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Tourism, Haryana, Mr Dhanpat Singh and Managing Director of Haryana Tourism and Member Administration Surajkund Mela Authority, Mr Anand Mohan Sharan gave details of the arrangements made for the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela. Regarding Partner Nation, it was said that this year arrangement for a helicopter joy ride to see the Mela has also been made. The joy ride, costing Rs. 2000, will be for four-five minutes from a suitable height, so that it does not disturb the ambience of the Mela.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Finance, Government of Assam, Mr Himanshu Shekhar Dass said that Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Tarun Gagoi will also attend the inaugural event of the Mela. Theme State Assam has been given 50 stalls, out of which 30 stalls will be given to weavers where different tribes of the State would showcase their products.
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