The 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela was inaugurated today, the 19th March 2022 by Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana and Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana in the august presence of Shri Kanwar Pal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism Forests, Hospitality and Art, Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Haryana and His Excellency Mr Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan Embassy, Smt. Seema Trikha, M.L.A, Badkhal, Shri. Krishan Pal, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of Power & Heavy Industries, Government of India, Shri. Mool Chand Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Mines & Geology, Skill Development & Industrial Training and Elections and Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India along with other dignitaries and Senior Officials of the Central Government &State Governments.
Shri M.D. Sinha, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Haryana, remarked in his Welcome Address that the Mela ground is stretched over 43.5 acres of land and has 1183 work huts for craftspeople as well as a multi-cuisine Food Court, which is quite popular with visitors.
The mela’s atmosphere will be ethnic, with themes and decorations such as Mahua, Nargis, and Panchjanya, as well as a 75th-anniversary theme with motifs and reproductions of independence medals, tri-coloured buntings, and commemorative stamps. He went on to say that ‘the Surajkund Mela is now a tourism event with enormous appeal internationally, and we intend to make this festival even grander with new innovations in future editions.’
During the inaugural session, Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, highlighted the importance of art and crafts in the development of civilization and culture in his address.
He also thanked the Ministries of the Central Government and the State Government of Haryana for organising the Crafts Mela, which allows artisans from India and other participating countries to showcase their countries’ rich heritage of arts and crafts.
According to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Ji, the Suraj Kund Crafts fair allows thousands of craftspeople from around India to present their talents and goods to a larger audience. As a result, the Mela has also aided in the revival of India’s traditional crafts.
He went on to say that this year’s Suraj Kund Crafts Mela is significant because it is being held during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Crafts Mela was originally held in 1987, and this year marks the 35th year of the event, which provides a platform not only for artists from Haryana but also from all across India, to demonstrate their skills and encourages the preservation of our rich legacy and culture.
Your Excellency Mr Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan Embassy, emphasised the significance of conducting the Suraj Kund Crafts Mela as a major opportunity for expanding tourism potential and developing people-to-people connections.
While speaking at the Surajkund Crafts Mela in Faridabad, Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, stated that “the 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022 is being held after a long gap due to the Covid 19 pandemic, which did not allow us to organise this much-awaited crafts event in the year 2021.”
However, this year’s Surajkund Mela promises to be a bigger and more energetic celebration. He also appreciated the Haryana Government’s efforts and hard work in organising and conducting the Crafts Mela this year, stating that it will help to enhance tourism in India.
The Surajkund Crafts Mela was organized to emphasize the richness and diversity of India’s handicrafts, handlooms, and traditional culture. This festival, co-hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs, and the Government of Haryana, has shown up to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the international tourism calendar for its exhibit of Indian crafts, culture, and cuisine in an aesthetically created setting.
To keep up with the times, online tickets are now accessible through websites like Paytm Insider, allowing people to attend the mela without having to wait in huge lines. Visitors from the surrounding communities will be transported to the fairgrounds through special buses that will depart from various locations.
Jammu and Kashmir is the ‘Theme State’ of the 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2022, displaying the state’s distinct culture and rich legacy through various art forms and handicrafts.
Hundreds of Jammu and Kashmiri artists will perform various ethnic arts and dances. There is a bouquet of legacy and culture from Jammu & Kashmir to enchant the audience, ranging from traditional dances to beautiful crafts.
The primary features of this year’s Mela will include replicas of Vaishno Devi temple, Amar Nath temple, Apna Ghar symbolising Kashmir architecture, live display of House Boat, and Commemorative gate ‘Mubarak Mandi – Jammu.’
Surajkund Crafts Mela set a new standard when it was elevated to an international level in 2013. More than 30 nations from Europe, Africa, and Asia will take part in the Mela in 2020. This year’s Mela will feature more than 30 countries, including the Partner Nation, Uzbekistan.
Latin American countries, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia, Sudan, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Maldives, and many more will participate enthusiastically.
International folk performers from participating foreign nations, including artists from throughout India, will give scintillating performances to brighten the atmosphere of the visitors.
Visitors will be enthralled by a variety of day performers, including Bhangra from Punjab, Bihu from Assam, Barsana ki Holi, Lok Niritya from Haryana, Jamakda from Himachal Pradesh, Lavni from Maharashtra, a live demonstration of Hath Ki Chakki, and the ever-popular Behrupiyas, who will keep the crowds entertained with their enchanting talent and showmanship within the Mela
During the Mela fortnight, guests will be well entertained by enthralling nightly cultural performances. Enjoy eclectic performances by bands such as Rehmat-e-Nusrat, resonating Ghazals by Rinku Kalia, enthralling dance performances, soulful Sufi performances, Rhythms of India by Maati Baani, as well as foot-tapping dance and song shows from Jammu and Kashmir, Uzbekistan, and other international artists. From 7 p.m. onwards, the Chaupal will be a hive of activity and excitement.
A Haryana family will live in a specially designed ‘Apna Ghar’ to demonstrate the state’s real way of life. ‘Apna Ghar’ allows tourists to experience the lifestyle of the people of the state as well as engage with and learn about their culture.
Apna Ghar will display traditional ceramics, kitchenware, and other items, and artists will provide live demonstrations of these traditional crafts. Both Chaupals (amphitheatres) have been given a fresh appearance inspired by elements of the participating state and partner countries in order to bring the performances to life for the audience, in addition to the usage of traditional props.
The Surajkund Mela 2022 is open from 19 th March to 4 th April, 2022, daily from 12.30 pm – 9.30 pm.
Major highlights of the 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2022
• Uzbekistan will participate as the partner nation for this year’s Mela.
• Keeping pace with the Information Technology (IT) advancements, the Mela entry tickets can be booked online Through Paytm Insider
• Hassle-Free parking through technological innovations
•Virtual tour and craftsperson information available on the website: www.surajkundmelaauthority.com
• Art and culture department will showcase traditional and cultural artists like Kacchi Ghodi, Stick walker, Kalbelia, Behrupia from Rajasthan, Kangri Nati from Himachal, Pihu from Assam, Bhangra, Jindua, Jhoomer from Punjab, Chapeli from Uttarakhand, Barsana ki Holi from Uttar Pradesh, Wangia from Meghalaya, Sambhalpuri Odisha, Badhai from Madhya Pradesh, Lawni from Maharashtra and much more.
• As a corporate social responsibility initiative, the Surajkund Mela Authority provides 50% rebate on the entry tickets to the differently-abled persons, senior citizens and serving defence personnel and ex-
servicemen.
• Renovated ‘Apna Ghar’ of Haryana will enthral visitors in a new avatar.
•A number of competitions to be organised for school students.
• Exporters and Buyers Meet is organised during the Mela fortnight that offers a ready support system for craftspersons to access and tap the export market.
• To beef up security arrangements more than 100 CCTV Cameras have
been installed in the Mela ground along with the Night Vision Cameras.
• A large number of security personnel, including women guards, are deployed in the Mela premises to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incident or mishap.
•Use of NPR Technology for e-Surveillance to capture number plate
recognition of vehicles entering the mela parking
• Introduction of crowd counting technology
• Check on intrusion entry of trespassers entering mela
• 2-3 acres of additional parking space created at Khori Land of MCF just
adjacent to Silver Jubilee gate
• Fire Brigade team and medical teams will be available for any emergency
throughout the Mela.
• Disaster Management Plan/ Evacuation Plan is in place with state-of-the-
art medical, fire and disaster management facilities at all crucial points.
• Bank, dispensary, Mela police control room & CCTV control room are
located at a centralized location so that visitors and participants can have
easy access to these essential services.
• Improved facilities for the differently-abled persons.
• A complete ban is imposed on the plastic/polythene bags within the Mela
premises.
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