The Heritage and Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma visited the Surajkund Mela grounds and conducted a review meeting with officials.
Haryana’s Heritage and Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma , announced that the 38th International Surajkund Crafts Mela will be held in Faridabad from February 7 to 23. This year, the fair will be celebrated as ‘Shilp Mahakumbh,’ inspired by the Mahakumbh, with artisans from around the world displaying their creative works.
Minister Arvind Sharma conducted a review of the fair’s preparations by meeting with officials from the Haryana Tourism Corporation and the district administration at the Rajhans Hotel auditorium in Surajkund, Faridabad, on Monday. During the visit, the Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Sh. Rajesh Nagar, was also present. Dr. Sharma further toured the Surajkund Mela grounds to assess the arrangements.
Minister Arvind Sharma stated that Haryana has preserved its cultural and historical heritage. He highlighted that the Surajkund Crafts Fair, which began in 1987, marked the beginning of giving artisans a proper platform and has now become a global example. He emphasized that this fair, held in Surajkund, is the world’s largest crafts fair. He also noted that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi is working relentlessly to strengthen national unity and culture, while Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is personally overseeing the preparations for the Surajkund Mela. The district administration is actively working to make the fair a grand success.
Minister Arvind Sharma mentioned that the Surajkund Mela has gone digital, with stall bookings now being done online for the first time. With full transparency, this fair is set to embrace the tourism sector with a digital platform. Information about every aspect of the fair can be accessed on surajkundmela.co.in. He further shared that Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are the theme states this year, while BIMSTEC countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—are partners, and the North East Handloom and Handicraft Association is the cultural partner. Delhi Metro is the ticketing partner for the event.
During the meeting, he instructed officials to ensure active participation in organizing the fair, which has now earned a global reputation. Minister Arvind Sharma urged all officers to complete their departmental arrangements within the given timeline, stressing the importance of cleanliness, security, and transportation to and from the fair.
Minister Arvind Sharma announced that Union Tourism Minister, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has been invited to inaugurate the world-class crafts fair, while Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will be the special guest at the opening ceremony. Union External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has been invited as the chief guest for the closing ceremony. He also mentioned that the fair will be attended by Chief Ministers and Union Ministers from other states, as well as prominent figures from foreign ministries, with thousands of tourists expected to visit Surajkund daily to witness the artisans’ talent.
On this occasion, the Principal Secretary of Haryana Tourism Corporation, Smt. Kala Ramchandran, Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad, Sh. Vikram Singh, and other officials were present.