DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair, to be held from February 7 to 23 in Surajkund, Haryana, will begin today. Union Tourism and Culture Minister Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the fair on February 7 at 10 am. Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini and Tourism and Heritage Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma will be also present on the occasion.

Principal Secretary, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Vice-Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority, Smt. Kala Ramachandran said the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2025 is set to create history this time with new energy and enthusiasm. She informed that this year's fair will see more participation than ever before at the national and international level.

Addressing mediapersons at Surajkund Mela Ground, Faridabad, Smt. Ramachandran said the Surajkund International Crafts Mela has become the world's largest handicraft fair, which preserves India's rich art traditions and promotes global cultural exchange.

Since its inception in 1987, the fair has been playing a vital role in empowering the livelihood of artisans by providing them a direct market and realising the resolve of the Government of India to be "Vocal for Local" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". She said, "This fair acts as a launchpad for small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), especially women entrepreneurs, to help them grow their business and empower the rural economy."

Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have been selected as theme states in this year's fair, which will present their unique art, craft, heritage and food. This participation will bring a colourful inclusion of folk dances, glimpses of traditional arts and cultural experiences in the fair.

The Principal Secretary said this time the international participation of the fair will also be unprecedented. 648 participants from 42 countries will take part in it, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Afghanistan, Belarus, Myanmar and member countries of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). BIMSTEC will be the partner organization this time, which will promote regional cooperation and traditional crafts. The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) will be the cultural partner of the fair, which will present the rich crafts, textiles and food traditions of the north-eastern states.

(editor@dailyworld.in)