Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate 21st Surajkund Crafts Mela

New Delhi, Jan 30: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will inaugurate the 21st Surajkund Crafts Mela on February 1, where over 350 craftspeople, including those from SAARC countries, will showcase their skills.

The annual 15-day festival this year will present Andhra Pradesh as the theme state, besides crafts from Thailand, Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhry told a news conference.

''The mela aims not only at providing entertainment but also making it a learning experience for visitors, craftspeople and designers,'' she said.

Ms Choudhry said the exporter-craftsmen meet for exploring the possibility and potential in export will be highlight of the event.

''Concerted efforts will be made to improve the export potential of crafts by systematic follow up,'' she added.

Organised by the Haryana Tourism and the Union Tourism and Textiles Ministries, the festival will also include a kite flying competition, painting competition to commemorate the 2550th year of Lord Buddha's Mahaparnirvana, designer workshops, folk dances and theatre performances.

''Surajkund Mela has become an internationally-recognised event which showcases the finest handlooms and handicrafts,'' Ms Choudhry said.

The Minister said the governments of Maharashtra, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh had sought assistance from Haryana to set up festivals on the lines of Surajkund Mela in their states.

The food court at the festival this year will offer Thai cuisine besides the culinary delights from across the country.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda will be the guests of honour at the inauguration ceremony of the festival.

Elaborating on the tourism promotion projects, Ms Choudhry said Haryana Tourism is making concerted efforts to improve services and infrastructure. ''The Centre has for the first time granted Rs 30 crore to Haryana Tourism from the central pool.... This will provide a boost to many of our projects. The Government is providing a major thrust to tourism promotion activities in the state,'' she added.

Panipat-Kuruksherta-Pinjore will be developed and promoted as an integrated tourist circuit, she announced, ''Kurukshetra is being promoted as an important tourist destination rather than a transit point...'' ''The Government has decided to prepare a comprehensive document for development and positioning of Kurukshetra on the international tourist map in view of its historical, religious and archaeological heritage and significance,'' she added.

In view of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Haryana will provided an additional 10,000 rooms, she said.

UNI