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Surajkund mela begins today

Staff Reporter

Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Gwalior and Hyderabad to also organise similar melas

SURAJKUND (HARYANA): With the 21st Surajkund Crafts Mela set to begin here on Thursday, the focus this time is on making it an opportunity for sustained employment for crafts persons. Meetings between exporters and craftsmen, being organised for the first time at the mela, will explore the possibility of exporting crafts' goods.

Addressing a press conference at the mela complex brought alive by drummers and dancers on Wednesday, the Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Tourism, Amitabh Kant, said the meetings would be co-ordinated by officials of the Export Promotion Council, Union Ministry of Textiles. After the interaction, efforts would be made to improve the export potential of crafts by systematic follow-up.

"Taking inspiration from the Surajkund Mela, which has managed to get institutionalised, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Gwalior and Hyderabad will also organise similar melas," said Mr. Kant. The Mumbai mela will begin on February 15.

The Tourism official said slowly the mela could be expanded to the rest of the country.

Mr. Kant said the emphasis was on maintaining the quality of the Surajkund Mela. The number of participating artisans had not been increased to maintain quality, he said.

Though about 15,000 international tourists are expected to visit the mela, less than an hour's drive from Delhi, the thrust will be on domestic tourists. "Making Surajkand a permanent destination with events round the year can also be looked into," Mr. Kant added.

To make the mela a learning experience for children, the tradition of giving groups of children free entry will continue.

A highlight of the event will be a fashion show by National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh -- the theme State for the second time at the mela -- will bring to Haryana its exquisite cuisine, range of handicrafts and folk art. About 75 folk artistes will present traditional art forms like "Tappetagullu", "Veeranatyam" and "Kommu Koya."

The mela will be inaugurated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and attended by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

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Surajkund mela begins today

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