Chandigarh, December 24– Sh. Manohar Lal, Haryana Chief Minister, has directed the officers that the '35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022', which is being organised in Surajkund, Faridabad on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, should be celebrated in such a grand and innovative manner that it leaves a lasting impression at the International Level. The fair is scheduled from February 4, 2022 to  February 20, 2022 in which the United Kingdom will be a partner-country whereas Jammu and Kashmir will participate as the theme-state.

The Chief Minister was presiding over the meeting of officers in connection with the preparations for the '35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022' here today. Tourism Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal was also present on the occasion. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Principal Secretary, Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Art and Cultural Affairs Department, Sh. D. Suresh, Principal Secretary, Foreign Cooperation, Sh. Yogender Chaudhary, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Sh. M.D. Sinha and other senior officers.

A draft of the said fair was also presented in the presence of the Chief Minister. This time the special thing will be that tourists coming from across the country and abroad will be able to book online parking so that they can get parking facilities as soon as they come to the fair. Online booking will be done through a 'Surajkund Mela-App' which will be launched soon. Through this app, tourists will be able to find the location and direction. With advance parking booking, it will be easier to control the crowd and the data will also be managed well. Tourists will be allowed to enter the fair through a bar-code.

Discussions were also held with the Chief Minister about inviting a VIP as Chief Guests at the inauguration and closing ceremony of '35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022'. The Chief Minister advised to continue the preparations for this fair while keeping in mind the precautions of Covid-19.

In the meeting, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Sh. M.D. Sinha informed that so far 30 countries have agreed to participate in the '35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022'. He said that last time around 12 lakh tourists had come to the fair organised and 1,200 stalls were set up by the artisans, this time more tourists are expected to come.

In today's meeting, there was a detailed discussion regarding cultural programmes to be organised every evening, inviting famous singers, dancers and other personalities, promoting the fair, besides beautification of the surrounding area for which the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal gave the necessary directions.