Chandigarh, February 3: Vice President of India, Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar while formally inaugurating the 36th International Surajkund Mela at Faridabad today said that India has become the fastest-growing country in the world in terms of the global economy; in which art and craftsmen have made significant contributions.
"Earlier our country was in 10th place in the world in terms of economic progress, whereas under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, it has now jumped to 5th place and I am hopeful that India will soon be at the first position," said Sh. Dhankhar.
He said that for the first time in the country, every person is getting an opportunity to showcase their talent. Praising the Surajkund Mela being organized by Manohar Lal-led state government, he said that this fair has an important contribution to making India shine bright on the world map.
Describing the Surajkund Mela as a confluence of diverse cultures and arts of the country, the Vice President said that the participation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries in this Mela is a historic moment.
Terming the cultural importance of the North-Eastern states of India as glorious for the country, he said that the talented artists and craftsmen of these states who have reached this Mela have become a live example that under the able dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, India has been swiftly moving on the development track.
While referring to the statement made by the Prime Minister, in which he had said that war does not solve any issue and solution is possible only through dialogue, Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar said that today our country's leadership and citizens are respected all over the world.
On the announcements made for craftsmen in the general budget presented by Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Vice-President said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the country has made unprecedented progress in the field of digitization. “The monetary benefits of about Rs. 27 lakh crore of 300 schemes are being sent directly to the accounts of the beneficiaries,” he added.
He said that the craftsmen and artists are getting direct benefits from the Mudra Yojana, Hunar haat, and Hashtshilp Yojana implemented by the Prime Minister. He said that Unity Mall would prove to be a milestone in the promotion of crafts made by artists for the sale of products made under the One District-One Product scheme.
Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the cultural heritage of Haryana is rich and the state government has done commendable work in taking this heritage to the national and international levels. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, the state government has made unprecedented development in tourism and other sectors. Sh. Manohar Lal has done commendable work in making this Surajkund Mela of international level," said the Vice President.
Surajkund Mela makes the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ more meaningful: CM
Welcoming the Vice-President, Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Smt. Sudesh Dhankhar, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that it is a matter of pride that the Vice-President has inaugurated the Surajkund Mela; which gives a golden opportunity to artisans from India and as well as participating countries to present their rich legacy of arts and crafts.
"Along with strengthening the ties of unity in the diversity of our country, Surajkund International Crafts Mela also takes forward the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’,” he said.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the ‘Partner Nation’, while eight states of the Northeast is theme of fair
The Chief Minister said that every year there is a participating nation and a theme state. For this year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is the ‘partner nation’, which comprises 25 countries, while eight states of the Northeast namely Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, have been made the theme states.
“The artists of these states will come together to showcase their arts, handicrafts, and cuisines on a single platform,” he added. He said that starting today, this fair will continue till February 19, during which three weekends will come; so that the maximum number of people can get a chance to visit this Mela.
At Surajkund, visitors get a glimpse of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’
The Chief Minister said that the beauty of this handicrafts Mela is that it is equipped with artifacts drenched with the imagination of artists and craftsmen from the country and abroad. “Such fairs provide an opportunity for the craftsmen to exchange their rich culture, traditions, and arts,” he said, adding that at Surajkund; visitors gets a glimpse of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’.
Haryana's cultural heritage has made its mark internationally
The Chief Minister said that it is because of the International Surajkund Mela and the International Gita Mahotsav that Haryana’s cultural heritage has made its mark internationally. “For the last 35 years, Surajkund Mela has been a great platform for craftsmen and handloom artisans to showcase their skills. This Mela allows every artist to get acquainted with the folk arts, folk cuisine, folk music, folk dances, and costumes of different regions,” he added.
Surajkund Mela has a key role in boosting economic self-reliance
Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Surajkund Mela and other similar fairs also play an instrumental role in boasting the country's economic self-reliance target. "We all should take pride in the arts-crafts made by the craftsmen of the country and give priority to the products made by them. By doing this we can help the artisans and small entrepreneurs in our area to grow economically," he said.
Dedicated efforts being made to promote tourism
The Chief Minister said that the state government has made dedicated efforts to promote tourism in the state. “We are promoting farm tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, and religious tourism. A ‘Homestay Policy’ has also been started in the state,” he added.
"I am sure that artists and tourists coming from the country and abroad will take back memorable memories from here and this experience will motivate them to come again and again to Haryana," he said.
Transport Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma, Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Babli, MLA Smt. Seema Trikha, Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Dr. Arvind Yadav, ambassadors from various countries and a large number of craftsmen and artists from the country and abroad were present on the occasion.