27TH INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS MELA-2013 to start from Feb 1 at Surajkund

Surajkund (Faridabad), January 31, 2013:  In Haryana, 27th International Crafts Mela is starting at Surajkund, Faridabad from February 1.

The Mela will be formally inaugurated by the President Pranab Mukherjeel on 2nd February.

Haryana Governor, Jagannath Pahadia, Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Minister of Tourism of Karnataka, Anand Singh and many other dignitaries will be present on this occasion.

Addressing a press conference at the Mela premises today, the Secretary, Tourism, Government of India and Chairman of Mela Authority Parvez Dewan said that the theme State of this International Crafts Mela is Karnataka. It is after 18 years, that Karnataka has been made the theme state of the Mela second time. 300 crafts persons, weavers, artisans, folk musicians and dancers would participate in the Mela.

Principal Secretary, Tourism, Haryana Vijay Vardhan said that SurajKund International Crafts Mela was started in 1987. Last year 12 countries participated in the Mela. In view of the increasing participation of other countries in the Mela the Ministry of Culture and External Affairs Ministry agreed to upgrade this Mela to international level.

DG, Tourism Haryana Anand Mohan Saran said that during past 26 years this Mela has achieved a reputation Last year, seeing the participation of 12 countries in the Mela Haryana Chief Minister Hooda said that the now this Mela should be named as International Crafts Mela. The Center acceded to the request and this year 21 countries are participating in the Mela including India. They include 9 countries, 6 SAARC Countries and 3 Urasion countries, besides Thailand and Peru.

Saran said that the 13 teams from Zonal Culture Centers will be participating in this Mela. In the evening everyday from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm, there will be presentation of cultural programmes. Highlight to this programmes will be Punjabi Bhangra, Sufi Evening, Hasya Kavi Sammelan, Magic Show, Fashion Show etc. On February 13 cultural programme of Haryana will be presenting. On February 9 and 12,Karnataka and Sri-Lanka Day will be celebrating respectively. The disabled, ex-servicemen and senior citizen will be charged the half the ticket prize. Entry for freedom fighters will be free. Ticket is available online and also offline at the gates of the Mela. This year the area of the Mela has been increased to over 40 acres. Use of polythene bags has been ban in the Mela.

The Police Commissioner of Faridabad Shatrujeet Kapoor said that stringent arrangement have been made for security by putting up CCTV cameras at 97 places with night vision.

The mela will remain open between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily till February 15, except on February 2, when the Mela will be opened for public after 1.00 PM.