Shri Manohar Lal, Chief
Minister, Haryana today formally inaugurated the 31st Surajkund
International Crafts Mela-2017 at Surajkund, Faridabad in the august presence
of Shri Ram Bilas Sharma,
Tourism, Hospitality, Education, & Languages, Technical Education,
Archeology & Museums Minister, Haryana; Shri Amar Kumar Bauri, Hon’ble Tourism, Culture, Art, Sports, Youth
Affairs, Revenue & Land Reforms Minister, Govt. of Jharkhand; His
Excellency Hatem Tageldin, Ambassador of Egypt to India, Delhi. Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for
Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Sh. Shri Vipul Goel,
Industries Minister, Haryana; Smt. Seema Trikha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary,
Tourism & Hospitality, Haryana; Shri
Jagdish Chopra, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corp., Shri Mool Chand Sharma, MLA,
Ballabhgarh and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion.
A traditional welcome was extended to
the Chief Minister, Haryana by Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism,
Theme State Jharkhand & Partner Nation Egypt on reaching Dhanteshwari Gate. Shri Manohar Lal took
a round of the Theme State Jharkhand’s Apna Ghar, Information Pavilion, Craftshuts
and interacted with the participants, craftspersons and weavers. He then
visited the international area where Partner Nation Egypt had constructed the
pavillion reminiscent of Egyptian Culture. The Chief Guest also visited Apna
Ghar of Haryana where Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism has
beautifully displayed Haryana’s achievements on its Swarna Jayanti year and also
showcased rural living traditions of villages in far flung areas of Haryana.
Lastly, Chief Minister, Haryana headed towards the Chaupal and did the honours
of lighting the lamp.
Shri V S Kundu, Addl
Chief Secretary to Government of Haryana, Tourism Department & Vice
Chairman, 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. Shri Kundu stated that the Government
of India initiatives like Cashless transactions, Digital India, Beti Bachhao
Beti Padhao and Swatch Bharat are being followed in principle in the Mela. Mela
tickets are available online through BookMyShow, free shuttle service is
available to the Mela from places in the vicinity and more public conveniences
have also been added. He further
informed that this time, the almost three acres of area has been added and thus
145 additional workhuts have been constructed for artisans and weavers in order
to organize Mela at a grand scale on Swarna Jayanti Year of the state.
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
Egypt’s association with the Mela gels with the agreements that India
has signed with number of foreign countries on increasing exchange of
visitors. He also complimented the efforts of
the state of Haryana to boost its tourism sector by identifying the Krishna
circuit and reviving sacred river Saraswati besides organizing such a Mela of
International Standard for uplifting the repute. He
further said that Surajkund Mela is not only Haryana’s pride but also an honour
for the country. At the same time, he hoped that problems that lurk India like
terrorism could be wiped out so that tourism sector could thrive.
Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism
Minister, Haryana stated that the participation from more than 20 countries in
the 31st edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela signifies
the growing importance of this Mela that offers an ideal platform for the
hardworking clan of craftspersons. 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 and schools, also
Mela express buses from Satnali to Surajkund and buses from nearby Metro
stations to Mela grounds had been started.
Shri Amar Kumar Bauri, Tourism
Minister Jharkhand expressed his gratitude towards Ministry of Tourism,
Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism for offering this opportunity to
Jharkhand for being Theme State. He informed that Jharkhand has tried to
showcase all its regions equally. Maluti Temple situated in Santhal Pergana
Region got prominence as Commemorative structures of the state due to its
social connect with the people of Jharkhand.
His
Excellency, Hatem Tageldin the
Ambassador of Egypt to India thanked Surajkund Mela Authority for providing the
opportunity to Egypt to be the Partner Nation. His Excellency showed his
gratitude towards Smt Sushma Swaraj, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India
& Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for extending their
full cooperation to Egypt on all bilateral issues. His Excellency further said
that this participation would further cement the ties between two nations.
Shri Manohar Lal, Chief
Minister, Haryana 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 a collective effort of different
central Government Ministries of Textile, Tourism, Culture & External
Affairs due to which the Mela has achieved international fame. He showered
praise on the Haryana Tourism, Surajkund Mela Authority, Ministry of Tourism
GOI, Jharkhand State & Egypt for working tirelessly for success of this
Mela. He further showed his satisfaction on the initiatives taken by all the
organizers to take Surajkund Mela to the next level on Haryana’s Swarna Jayanti
Year. He complimented the participants from Egypt, Jharkhand and other
participating states, Nations for coming to the ‘Paavan Dhara’ of Haryana which
is known as ‘Krishan Bhumi’.
Chief Minister Haryana further stated that Aravali
hills have tourist potential. The concept of Eco-tourism is also being promoted
amongst foreign investors.
The inauguration ceremony of the Mela also
witnessed enthralling performances being presented by dancers from Haryana, Jharkhand
and Egypt.
The Cashless Mela will remain open to
public from 10.30-8.30 daily from 1-15 February, 2017.
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