Surajkund Mela opens today: spotlight on Rajasthan

Busy sorting out her wares in her stall,Saba Huda,a Kazakh woman,is taking part in the Mela for the first time. She is hopeful her country’s craft will be received with warmth. Huda makes Sujeni,which are Kazakh carpets designed especially for the bride and groom,and precious stones. “This is my first time in India. I am hopeful people will like the items and I will sell enough,” she says.

The Mela,organised primarily by the Ministry of Tourism,involves the efforts of agencies like the offices of the Development Commissioners (Handicrafts),Development Commissioners (Handlooms) and Ministries of Culture and External Affairs. Haryana Tourism and the Tourism Department of Rajasthan will jointly conduct and coordinate arrangements for the Mela this year.

Sujit Banerjee added the Mela,bringing together cultures and crafts of the entire country at one place,was becoming a model for other countries to follow. “This time,we will also have a visiting team of 25 people from Sri Lanka to study how the fair is organised,with a view to replicate it in their own country,” he said. This year,the theme of the 15-day fair is Rajasthan,the second time after 1989. The Mela will also have more than 200 artistes who will perform folk dances and plays.

The number of visitors to the Mela last year was more than 7 lakh. Organisers said they are prepared for a substantial increase in numbers this time. The Mela will be inaugurated today by Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. The inauguration will be attended by the Governor of Haryana Jagannath Pahadia,Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Union Minister for Tourism,Housing and Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajendra Singh Guda,the Minister of State for Tourism,Art and Culture,Rajasthan,will also be present.