The wait is over, festival of crafts kicks off at #Faridabad

The wait is over, festival of crafts kicks off at Faridabad

Sanjay Chaturvedi

“Surajkund International Crafts Mela is no more a place of craftsmen only, it has actually rose to the level of an tourism calendar event”, said Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture, Government of India. He was addressing the gathering at Faridabad on the occasion of inauguration of the 30^th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela.

Unlike the traditional system of inauguration of the event, the Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal, after entering from Dhanteshwari Gate and being welcomed in the traditional way, he took a round of the Theme State Telangana’s craft shuts and interacted with the craft persons and weavers. He also visited the international area and Apna Ghar, Haryana. Following which, Chief Minister, Haryana headed towards the Chaupal and did the honours of lighting the lamp.

Smt Sumita Misra, Principal Secretary to Government of Haryana, Tourism Department & Vice Chairperson, Surajkund Mela Authority extended a hearty welcome to Chief Minister, Haryana and expressed gratitude towards all the present dignitaries for being a part of the Mela. Dr Misra stated that the Government of India initiatives like Digital India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Swatch Bharat are being followed in principle at the Mela. She added that there is a Mela mobile application under the name Surajkund Mela that can be downloaded for free, Mela tickets are available online, free shuttle service is available to the Mela from places in the vicinity and more public conveniences have also been added. Misra also made a special mention of the beti bachao initiative at the state and talked for a while about its reflection in the mela.

Sh Suresh Prabhu, Railways Minister, Government of India expressed happiness that this Mela is a symbol of pride and has brought great repute for the state of Haryana.
Sh Prabhu further added that the Indian Railways Official Website (irctc.com) is very popular and is now in the process to market handicrafts in order to provide a global platform to crafts persons.

Sh Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India stated that Surajkund International Crafts Mela has given impetus to tourism sector in totality. Sh Zutshi further stated that Japan and China’s association with the Mela gels with the agreements that India has signed with both China & Japan on increasing exchange of visitors. Zutshi said that this time there are 23 participating countries in the mela including the focus countries of Japan and China. He said that the annual event has been making records all through these years. He said that this year there are many records would be made superseding all the earlier ones including the largest footfall and the participation of other countries.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture, Government of India said that the Surajkund International Crafts Mela has attained the status of being an international calendar event. Sh Sharma also complimented the efforts of the state of Haryana to boost its tourism by identifying the Krishna circuit and reviving sacred river Saraswati.

The renowned Bollywood strongman of old times, Dharmendra, Honrary Brand Ambassador, Haryana Tourism was the centre of attraction as he stole away many hearts with his couplets and expressed gratitude towards Haryana government to have given him an opportunity to be the tourism brand ambassador. He further said that Surajkund Mela is Haryana’s pride and an honour for the country. At the same time, he hoped that problems that lurk India like drugs and terrorism could be wiped out so that tourism sector could thrive.

Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism Minister, Haryana stated that the participation from 23 countries in the 30^th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela signifies the growing importance of this Mela that offers an ideal platform for the hardworking clan of craft persons. Sh Sharma further added that among the popular measures taken to further popularize the Mela included free entry for girl students of government and government-aided colleges, also Mela express buses from Satnali to Surajkund and buses from nearby Metro stations to Mela grounds had been started.

Shri Manohar Lal, Chief Minister, Haryana unveiled the Surajkund Mela table calendar and announced the Surajkund International Crafts Mela officially open. Chief Minister stated that the Surajkund International Crafts Mela infuses new energy among everyone and it is in collaboration with different Ministries of Textile, Tourism, Culture & External Affairs that the Mela has achieved international fame.

Highlighting upon the Krishna circuit in Kurukshetra that would comprise 134 places that are associated with the epic Mahabharata, Sh Manohar Lal said that an expenditure of Rs 175 crores was being incurred on developing the circuit and would help boost tourism in the state. He also stressed upon the importance of Aravali hills from tourism point of view and the Kalka to Kalesar stretch was being developed for it has both religious and tourism potential.

Further Sh Manohar Lal also stated that the revival of Saraswati river bed is on the priority list of the state. Not to miss, eco-tourism is also being promoted with foreign investors showing interest. Chief Minister, Haryana, announced that an investment of US $10 billion in an area of about 3,000 acres in which option for weekend getaway for people in Delhi-NCR is in pipeline.

The inauguration ceremony of the Mela also saw enthralling performances being presented by Haryanavi dancers based on saving girl child, Telangana and Japanese artistes.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Shri Azmeera Chandulal, Tourism Minister, Telangana; Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism Minister, Haryana; Smt. Seema Trikha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism & Hospitality, Haryana; Shri Vipul Goel, MLA, Faridabad; Shri Mool Chand Sharma, MLA, Ballabgarh, Tek Chand Sharma, MLA, Prithla; Sh Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India & Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority, Sh B Venkatesham, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Telangana and Sh Vikas Yadav, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism-cum-Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority among others.