Haryana's Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said the 38th International Surajkund Crafts Mela will be celebrated in Faridabad from February 7 to 23. This year, the fair will be celebrated as ‘Shilp Mahakumbh’ on the lines of the Mahakumbh, in which craftsmen from all over the world will showcase their creative work.
Dr. Arvind Sharma reviewed the preparations of the fair by holding a meeting with Haryana Tourism Corporation and district administration officials in the auditorium of Rajhans Hotel in Surajkund, Faridabad on Monday. On this occasion, Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Sh. Rajesh Nagar was also present. He also visited the Surajkund Mela premises and reviewed the arrangements.
Dr. Arvind Sharma said Haryana has preserved its cultural and historical heritage. Along with establishing the identity of Haryanvi culture in the world, the beginning of giving a proper platform to the craftsmen started in the form of a crafts fair in Surajkund in 1987, which is setting an example at the global level today.
He said this fair held on the land of Surajkund is the world's largest crafts fair. He said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi is constantly working to strengthen national unity and culture of the country. At the same time, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini himself is keeping an eye on the preparations of the Surajkund Mela. The district administration is constantly working to give this fair a grand look.
He said the Surajkund Mela has been digitized. For the first time, the booking of stalls has been done online. Maintaining complete transparency, this crafts fair of Surajkund is getting ready to welcome the general public in the tourism sector with a digital platform. Information about every aspect related to the fair will be available on surajkundmela.co.in.
He said this time, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are the theme states and BIMSTEC-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand are the partners and the North East Handloom and Handicraft Association is the cultural partner for the fair, while Delhi Metro will be the ticketing partner.
While giving instructions to the officials in the meeting, he said this fair being organized in Haryana has established its unique identity at the global level today, and we have to ensure our active participation in the successful organization of the fair.
He said all officers should ensure comprehensive arrangements related to their department within the stipulated time. He also gave orders to ensure cleanliness, security arrangements and complete transport arrangements to and from the fair in time.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat invited to inaugurate fair
Dr. Arvind Sharma said Tourism Minister in the Government of India, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been invited to inaugurate the world-class craftsman fair, while Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will be the special guest at the inaugural ceremony. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been invited as the chief guest for the closing ceremony.
He said in the fair, Chief Ministers and Union Ministers of other states of the country, as well as eminent people from foreign ministries will also be present and lakhs of tourists will reach Surajkund every day to see the talent of the craftsmen.Principal Secretary of Haryana Tourism Corporation, Smt. Kala Ramchandran, Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad Sh. Vikram Singh and other officials were present on this occasion.