INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
ANI |
Updated: Feb 01, 2020 02:14 IST
Chandigarh [India], Feb 1 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2020 in
Faridabad on Saturday, said Union Tourism Secretary Yogendra Tripathi.Tripathi stated that Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya will
preside over the inauguration ceremony on Saturday at 11 am.He said that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Himachal Pradesh Chief
Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Haryana Tourism Minister, Kanwar Pal and Ambassador of the Embassy of Uzbekistan Farhod Arziev will also be present
on the occasion along with Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar, Haryana Transport Minister Mool
Chand Sharma, Chairman of Haryana Tourism Corporation Randhir Golan, and MLA Seema Trikha.Tripathi said that Himachal Pradesh is the theme
state of this year's Surajkund Mela, showcasing its rich and unique cultural heritage through various crafts of the state
He added that hundreds of artists from Himachal Pradesh will perform various folk arts and dances.He also said that special buses are
arranged to facilitate the visitors
Last year, more than 30 countries from Europe, Africa and Asia participated in the fair.He informed that an MoU was signed between the
Surajkund Mela Authority and the British Council this year and the Surajkund Mela will host artists and craftsmen from England for the first
time.In addition, more than 30 countries will be part of this fair, including Uzbekistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Kyrgyzstan,
Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Senegal, Zambia, Comoros, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, South Africa, Austria, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Niger,
Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Ghana, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Morocco, Palestine, Bhutan, Uganda, Armenia, Maldives, Sudan, Kenya and The
Democratic Republic of Congo.Tripathi said that that the Surajkund International Crafts Mela was organised for the first time in 1987 to
showcase the richness and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms and cultural heritage of India.He said that the fair is organised jointly by
the Surajkund Mela Authority, Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs
and Government of Haryana.He said that the fair helps thousands of craftsmen across India to showcase their art and products to the audience
He informed that the online tickets for the fair are made available for the convenience of visitors.Moreover, Additional Chief Secretary of
Haryana Tourism Department Vijai Vardhan said that the mela ground is arranged over 40 acres of land and around thousand sites are arranged
for artisans visiting across the world.He added that the participation of England in the fair will enhance the participation of other
countries across the world
