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President Patil
inaugurates 23rd Surajkund fair
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President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil visiting the 23rd Surajkund
crafts mela at Surajkund, Haryana, on February 1
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Surajkund
(Haryana): President Pratibha Patil on Sunday inaugurated
the 23rd edition of the famous rural crafts fair, Surajkund
Mela, 20 km from New Delhi. This year, Egypt is the partner
country at the fair that has proved to be a viable platform
for the artisans from India as well as abroad to showcase
their creations and novelties. Inaugurating the famous
Surajkund Mela (fair), the President spoke of the fair
playing a role strengthening relations among countries.
"This fair helps in bolstering relations between the nations.
It helps in cultural exchange and increases the bilateral
relations between the nations," President Pratibha Patil
said.
The
fair recreates the rural ambience for people in the urban
areas as well as for foreign tourists. Egypt is the prime
partner this time. Its stall at the fair has a wide range
of authentic products from the land of Nile like carpets,
chairs and models of pyramids carved in soapstone. "I
see people are interested in our products, so I am really
very happy with this. I am also happy for the organization,
which has organized everything very well," said Aiman
Hossam Eddin, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Social
Solidarity for Marketing Strategies. Apart from Egypt,
the member nations of South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC), like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal
and Afghanistan are also participating in the fair like
every year. Pakistan, however, is not participating in
this year's fair. The theme state for this year is central
Madhya Pradesh. Around 400 Indian craftmen and 20 international
participants are taking part this year. Organised by the
Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Tourism
Department of Haryana, this is for the 23rd time in succession
that the fair is being held in Surajkund.
Introduced
in 1987, the fair is held every year with the twin objective
of highlighting India's handicraft and handloom traditions.
According to the Harayana's State Minister of Tourism
Kiran Chowdhury, around 78 Closed Circuit TV cameras have
been installed all over the place to ensure stringent
security measures in the wake of the recent Mumbai attacks.
Apart from traditional crafts, visitors will be witnessing
several colourful and captivating folk dances. Over the
years, the fair has attracted thousands of visitors -
both from within and outside India. For many it is an
opportunity to see master craftsmen from all over India
working at the venue. For others, it is a chance to rediscover
the rich cultural heritage of India.
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Feb 1, 2009
