INVC NEWS
Surajkund (Faridabad),
Shri Manohar Lal, Chief Minister, Haryana today formally inaugurated the 29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2015 at Surajkund, Faridabad in the august presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Chhattisgarh Dr. Raman Singh.
The galaxy of special invitees at the inauguration ceremony included Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (Government of India) Shri Krishanpal Gurjar; Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Haryana, Shri Ram Bilas Sharma; Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Chhattisgarh, Shri Ajay Chandrakar; Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism, Haryana, Shri Karan Dev Kamboj; Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India; Mrs Alia Abbas, Director General, Ministry of Economy and Trade Lebanon; Ms Rita Kitsu, Tourism Minister, Uganda; Shri Vipul Goel, MLA Faridabad; Shri Mool Chand Sharma, MLA, Ballabhgarh and Smt. Seema Trikha, MLA, Badkhal and many other distinguished guests.
After entering from Dhanteshwari Gate, a traditional welcome was extended to the Chief Minister, Haryana by Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism. Shri Manohar Lal took a round of the Theme State Chhattisgarh’s craftshuts and interacted with the craftspersons and weavers. He also visited the Lebanon cluster, SAARC area and Apna Ghar, Haryana. Following which, Chief Minister, Haryana & Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh headed towards the Chaupal and did the honours of lighting the lamp.
Smt Sumita Misra, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism & Chief administrator, 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. She also termed the Surajkund Mela to be an excellent platform for exchange of crafts, cultures and folk traditions.
Shri S.S. Dhillon, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Haryana, said that the Surajkund International Crafts Mela attarcts over a million visitors including thousands of foreigners and the stunning ambience of the Mela this year will further increase the footfall.
Ms. Alia Abbas, Director General, Ministry of Economy and Trade, Lebanon, added that their country was always keen to participate in Surajkund Mela and this will further improve the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Shri Karan Dev Kamboj, Minister of State for Tourism, Haryana expressed happiness that this Mela is a symbol of pride and has brought great repute for the state of Haryana.
Shri Ajay Chandrakar, Tourism Minister, Chhattisgarh, said that Surajkund Mela has provided a great opportunity to present the art, culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh. He added that the state has the largest tribal population and unique art forms, which is why, it stands apart from the rest.
Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism Minister, Haryana said the Surajkund Mela presented the ancient Surajkund in an impressive way and the fascinating folk dances staged during the inaugural cermony were a great expression of emotions and body movements. He further added that the national level ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign was kickstarted from Panipat and we will win this fourth battle of Panipat against female feoticide.
Chief Minister, Chattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh said that he was elated to see over 20 countries paritcpate including Lebanon as Partner Nation. He further said that after a gap of 10 years, Chhattisgarh had got the precious opportunity to be the Theme State. Dr Singh further added that he shared a good association with Chief Minister, Haryana who has lent him support during elections time in Bastar. Narrating the popularity of the state of Chhattisgarh, Dr Singh said that the state has been a birth place of many folk artistes and craftspersons like Tejan Bai and Jaidev Bhagel.
Since the creation of the independent state, Dr Singh exclaimed that it was not anymore a backward state but a progressive one and has been contributing to the steel, aluminum and cement production of the state and is the second leading state in gender ratio.
Shri Manohar Lal also launched the Mobile application of the Mela ‘Surajkund Mela’. He complimented the Surajkund Mela for inculcating a feeling brotherhood, love and bonding among different cultures and continents. He also appreciated Chhattisgarh’s contribution as Theme State that has presented its folk traditions at the Mela in a very impressive way. He narrated his experience of Bastar in Chhattisgarh and interaction with Naxalites, also shared the fact that lot of farmers and politicans doing well in Chhattisgarh hail from Haryana.
Chief Minister, Haryana also added that the Mela has helped preserve the vanishing arts and bring the youth closer to the history and culture. He also said by introducing sacred Bhagwad Gita in textbooks and propagating Yog’s importance, we intend to improve our value system.
He further said that the state has a rich culture and ancient heritage, so we are emphasising on promoting tourism in the state, we plan is to develop ancient cultural sites like Adibadri at Kapalmochan, Yamunanagar, which happens to be sacred Saraswati river’s starting point.
Shri Manohar Lal further said that under circuit tourism, we will develop Karna Taal at Karnal, Narnaul-Mahendargarh-Madogarh mega tourism circuit at the expenditure of Rs 50 crores and expansion of air strips in Hisar and Karnal.
The inauguration ceremony of the Mela also saw enthralling performances being presented by Haryanavi dancers based on saving girl child, Chhattisgarh and Lebanon artistes.
The Mela will remain open to public from 10.30-8.30 daily from 1-15 February, 2015.
