Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Surajkund Crafts Mela

Chandigarh, Feb 1 (UNI) Events like Surajkund Crafts Mela provide ample opportunities to the people from different regions of the country and abroad to interact and exchange ideas of their cultural heritage, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said after inaugurating the 22nd Surajkund Crafts Mela at Surajkund.

While appreciating the efforts of the Haryana, West Bengal and Central Government for organising the Mela he said that the Surajkund Mela had achieved a unique distinction at national and international calender of events.

"Our craftsmen work in silence and are the silent builders of the civilization and it is the need of hour to recognise them. The Surajkund Mela authorities have filled this gap by providing them institutional opportunity," he emphasised.

Mr Mukherjee stressed for strengthening the tourism infrastructure in the country as it provides opportunities for exchange of views with the people of different races and cultures.

Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that Surajkund Mela had brought Haryana on the international map besides providing finest traditions of Indian crafts.

Mr Hooda said that this year new look had been given to the Mela to make it more interesting and colourful by adding the Surajkund Design Galleries as a platform for designer and artisan interaction, organising of painting workshop and photography competition, creation of rural ambience with the facility of camel ride, horse ride, and participation of craftsperson from SAARC countries, Thailand and Brazil.

Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhry and West Bengal Tourism Minister Manabendra Mukherjee were also present on the occasion.

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