The 31st Surajkund International Crafts Mela is all set to begin here from tomorrow with over 20 countries participating in the popular fair.
More than 20 countries from Europe, Africa and South Asia are participating in the fortnight long mega event from February 1 to 15. Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Tunisia, Mongolia and South Africa will make their debut at the fair this year.
The Mela will be inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority, Vinod Zutshi told reporters at Chaupal, Surajkund Mela Ground today.
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He said Tourism and Culture Minister, Jharkhand, Amar Kumar Bauri, Ambassador of Egypt to India, Hatem Tageldin, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gujjar, Haryana Industries Minister Vipul Goel, among others would grace the occasion.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, and Vice Chairperson, Surajkund Mela Authority, V S Kundu said keeping pace with the Digital India initiative, the Mela entry tickets are available at online portal 'Bookmyshow'.
"The offline ticket sale is also strengthened to ensure convenience of visitors with minimal waiting time at the gates. The number of ticket counters at mela grounds have been increased to avoid queues. As a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the Surajkund Mela Authority provides 50 per cent rebate on the entry tickets to differently-abled, senior citizens, serving soldiers, war widows and their dependents," he said.
Similarly, to encourage youth participation, a discount of 50 per cent on entry tickets will be given to college students on weekdays on producing valid ID cards. A free ferry service for visitors has been extended throughout the Mela from different areas of Faridabad and metro stations in the vicinity.
Kundu said special to and fro bus services will be available to Surajkund from ISBT Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
Also, bus service from Ballabgarh to Tughlakabad metro station via Surajkund and vice versa, as well as from Badarpur metro station to Surajkund and back is made available on a 30 minutes interval, he said.
With a view to ensure 100 per cent cashless mode of transactions, the official banker for the event 'Dena Bank' has been asked to provide 100 POS machines, a dedicated bank branch with two ATMs and six mobile ATM Vans at the venue to facilitate participants and visitors, Kundu stated.
Mobikwik has been roped in as e-wallet partner to ensure further convenience of people in adopting hassle free cashless transactions.
Kundu stated that wi-fi facility will also be available
at the fair.
The girl students of government and government-aided schools and colleges of Haryana will be given free entry to the Mela on weekdays, as part of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' (save girl, educate girl) campaign of the state government.
Kundu said besides attracting over a million visitors each year, the Mela has also helped in reviving the heritage crafts of India.
He said Jharkhand, the theme state of this year's Surajkund International Crafts Mela, would showcase its unique culture and rich heritage. About 300 artistes from the state would be performing famous folk arts like Chhau, khaira, Karsa, Paika.
To enliven the visitors' mood, scintillating performances would be presented by international folk artists from Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the official said.
A variety of dance forms will be performed by folk artistes including Haryanavi dances, Bhangra and Gidda by Punjab Police Group, Badhai from Madhya Pradesh, Brij ki Holi and Mayur dance from Uttar Pradesh, Rathwa from Gujarat and Chapeni from Uttrakhand. The performances will be staged at the open-air theatre 'Chaupal' in the Mela ground.
Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority, Sameer Pal Srow said a lot of enthusiasm has been shown by the participants of foreign countries this year, including partner nation Egypt.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event.
Srow said around 200 CCTV cameras have been installed in the Mela ground.
"A large number of security personnel, including women guards, are deployed in the mela premises to prevent any untoward incident. The Disaster Management Plan is in place with state-of-the-art medical, fire and disaster management facilities at all crucial points in association with Police, Municipal Corporation, Fire Department and Health Department Faridabad," he said.
He added the visitors and participants will be sensitised about the complete ban on plastic and polythene bags within the Mela area.
The Surajkund Crafts Mela was hosted for the first time in 1987 to showcase the richness and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms and the cultural heritage of India.
Jointly hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs and Government of Haryana, the festival has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the international tourism calendar for its display of crafts, culture and cuisine of India in aesthetically created ambience.
