Haryana planning expansion of Surajkund International Crafts Mela

 CHANDIGARH, FEB 1

In order to cope with the increasing footfalls due to the growing popularity of the world famous annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela, the Haryana Government is working on its  expansion plan.

       This was disclosed by the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, while addressing the gathering after inaugurating Haryana’s Swarna Jayanti 31st Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Surajkund in Faridabad today. Telangana, which is a partner state of Haryana under the ‘Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat’ Programme, launched by the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, would be the partner state in the Mela next year.

 Extending his greetings to the people on the occasion of Basant Panchami and birth anniversary of Deen Bandhu Sir Chottu Ram, the  Chief Minister said the Mela provided a platform for reducing the distances. People come here from all over the world and it is turning out to be best platform for reducing distances.

  Welcoming the artisans, craftsmen and weavers of theme state Jharkhand, he said that Jharkhand, which is blessed with nature, also has rich resources of minerals. "I would definitely visit Jharkhand this year," he added.

     Congratulating the artists who had came from 23 countries, Mr Manohar Lal said the Mela would also provide a platform for the exchange of art as well as an opportunity to learn and understand each other. Last year, 17 lakh people had visited the Mela. It has now been spread over additional three acres of land this year, and more than 1,000 stalls have been set up against 850 last year. Conflict works to break the society whereas art, culture and music work to connect the society, he added.

   The state government is observing this year as the Swarna Jayanti Year and government's efforts must be further supplemented by organizing various programmes. This year, Gita Jayanti was observed at international level. Maati Kala Board has been constituted and the sate’s own film policy is being framed to promote art and culture.

    As many as 48 religious places are being developed as a part of the Krishna Circuit at a cost of Rs 175 crore.

The government has been working to connect the people with the mantra of Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek. The Mela offers a unique platform in this direction.

     Giving cashless transactions a push, the Chief Minister purchased a shawl from the stall of Nepal, and a hand-made portrait of the Prime Minister and his own from the Sri Lanka stall by using Mobik wik App and POS system. He also visited the stall of partner country Egypt where Ambassador of Egypt to India, Mr Hatem Tageldin, welcomed him. He also went around many stalls, including that of South Africa.

      Speaking on the occasion, Haryana's Tourism Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, said the state government was organizing third mela after its formation. This year, the fair complex has been expanded so that the artisans, artists, weavers and others do not face any difficulty.
 The Tourism Minister of Theme State Jharkhand, Mr Amar Kumar Bouri, Ambassador of Egypt to India, Mr Hatem Tageldin, and the Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Mr VS Kundu, also spoke on this occasion.

 Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, Industries Minister, Mr Vipul Goel, Minister of State for Public Health Engineering, Mr Banwari Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Seema Trikha, MLA Mr Tek Chand Sharma, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Mr Jagdish Chopra, Managing Director, Tourism Mr Sameer Pal Srow, and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.

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