In the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela under the aegis of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Goa Day was celebrated on Thursday. Artists from Goa captivated the audience with their traditional lamp Dance Performance.
Meanwhile speaking on the occasion General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Sh. Gavin Dias while highlighting Goa’s rich art and cultural heritage said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant and the dynamic guidance of Tourism and IT Minister, Sh. Rohan Khaunte, several new initiatives have been launched to promote tourism in Goa.
Sh. Dias praised the Haryana government for organising the International crafts Mela. He said that just as Haryana has established its identity worldwide through its cultural heritage, the same way Goa has also established its dominance with tourism, art and culture.
He said that Goa is a symbol of community-driven tourism practice and efforts are made to preserve its natural beauty and ecological balance for future generations. Sh. Dias said that the Surajkund International Crafts Mela has become a centre of attraction for the country and abroad tourists.
The Goa government has also launched a new initiative named ‘Ekadasha Teertha’ initiative, uniting 11 revered temples into a single circuit for a rich cultural and spiritual experience. He extended his best wishes to the people of Goa and the entire nation on the occasion of Goa Day and encouraged everyone to visit Goa.
Sh. Dias also expressed gratitude to Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Heritage and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Department and Vice Chairperson, Surajkund Mela Authority, Smt. Kala Ramachandran and Managing Director, Tourism Corporation Dr. Sunil Kumar, along with their team, for their support in promoting Goa Tourism at the Surajkund Mela.
Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Dr. Sunil Kumar, welcomed all artists, craftsmen, and weavers participating in the event. He mentioned that tourist footfall at the Mela has been increasing daily, with international visitors taking the festival to a global platform, boosting tourism.
He further shared that this year Mela has attracted participants from 44 countries, with over 600 international artisans showcasing their work at more than 1,200 stalls, making it one of the world’s largest arts and crafts exhibitions. He also said that Goa has been honored twice as the partner/themed state at the fair, first in 2001 and again in 2014. Goa’s traditional folk dance and cuisine was showcased during the Mela.
Officers from Singapore, Malaysia, Ministry of External Affairs, Deputy Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Sh. Dhiraj Wagle, AGM, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Sh. Harvinder Singh, AGM, Sh. Rajpal Singh along with other officers also remained present.