Internationally acclaimed annual Surajkund Crafts Mela got off to a colourful start as the Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari inaugurated it at Surajkund in Faridabad on Monday.
Apart from Saarc countries, Tajikistan, Egypt and Afghanistan have also put up their stalls in the Mela. More than 400 craftsperson from India, 31 artisans from other countries and hundreds of folk artists from far flung areas of rural India and dance troupes from Tajikistan, Egypt and Thailand are participating in this year?s mega event. Rajasthan is the theme state this year.
Union minister for tourism Kumari Selja, Haryana governor, Jagannath Pahadia, Haryana chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot were also present on the occasion.
Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said 23 states of India had joined hands to put up this wonderful handlooms and handicrafts show. The Mela has not only promoted various arts and crafts, but has also provided an international market to boost the sale of handicrafts and artifacts, he said.
The Vice-President visited the section displaying crafts from the Saarc nations and Tajikistan, Thailand and Egypt. Showing keen interest in the items displayed there, he applauded the efforts made by Surajkund Mela Authority in organising the Mela and providing a common platform to the artisans of various countries and regions of the country. Ansari also visited the stalls of the theme state Rajasthan.