Preparations for 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2014 complete

Faridabad (Haryana), January 31, 2014: Preparations for 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2014 are complete and the Mela will start from tomorrow.
Giving this information at the press conference held in Mela premises at Surajkund, Faridabad, the Chairman of the Surajkund Mela Authority ,  Parvez Dewan said that the Mela will be  inaugurated by  Haryana Chief Minister  Bhupinder Singh Hooda,  where  Goa’s Deputy Chief Minister  Francis D’Souza, Minister of Tourism  Dilip Parulekar, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India  Prasad Karlyawasam , Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corporation,  Chakrvrty Sharma,  and many other dignitaries will be present.
Thanking  the media persons,  Chakrvrty Sharma said that press has always cooperated in developing the identity of this Mela and I hope that in future also they will continue to cooperate.  Sharma also thanked the Chairman of National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka  Budhikeerti Sinna and Principal Secretary of Goa Tourism  Parimal Rai for the cooperation provided by them during his visit to Sri Lanka and Goa.

Appreciating the interest taken by  Haryana Chief Minister  in the preparation of the Mela,  Sharma said that he has been monitoring the progress and talking to  the concerned officers.    The Vice President of Surajkund Mela Authority and Principal Secretary Haryana Tourism,  Vijai Vardhan said that the main purpose of the Mela is to bring together the artisans from remote areas and to provide them the opportunity to sell their products directly to the buyers without the help of middlemen.
 In the first Surajkund Crafts Mela in 1987, only 35 artisans had participated and about 10,000 persons had visited the Mela, he said. Today, the Mela has gained international status, in which about 20 countries are participating and there are 735 work huts for the crafts persons. The Mela is spread in 40 acres of land. He said that Haryana and Goa are two small States, but are ahead in per capita income in the country. With Sri Lanka, India has over 2000 years old relations and both are similar in many aspects.  
Highlighting the importance of the Mela, the High commissioner of Sri Lanka Prasad Karlyawasam said that this Mela not only has place on the calendar of Delhi and India, but also on international calendar. This is a matter of happiness that efforts are being made to make it a people’s fair and common man is being made aware by showcasing the art, culture and cuisine of various regions. About the relations between India and Sri Lanka, he said that these relations go back to the times of Emperor Ashoka, who had sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for preaching Bhuddism. No doubt that India is the fountain head of culture of Sri Lanka, but Sri Lanka has also carved its own place as unique island.  He expressed hope that the Mela will progress and the artisans participating in it will also be benefitted.
The Principal Secretary of Goa Tourism Parimal Roy said that after 12 years, Goa has again got chance to become theme State of the Mela. The theme of Goa presentations is ‘Goa Comes Alive’. Goa is not just a land of sand and sea, but presents a vivid culture, which is composite of Portugese and Indian Culture.    The member of Surajkund Mela Authority and Managing Director of Haryana Tourism, Sumita Mishra said that for making Mela people-friendly, online booking of tickets has been started. This time college students will also get 50 per cent discount on tickets in addition to senior citizens and disabled persons. The Mela will continue upto 15th of February. Sri Lanka Day will be observed on 4th February. On 8th February, Goa will present a fashion show. For security, elaborate arrangements have been made. CCTV  and Night Vision cameras have been installed in the premises of the Mela. The countries that are participating this time are   Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Portugal, Iran, Uganda, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Thailand and the SAARC nations—Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan.// Haryana news,  Haryana current news,  Haryana news live, Haryana breaking news, Haryana headlines, Haryana latest news, india news, world news,

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