Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Tuesday said that keeping in view the enthusiasm of the people and the increasing demand from artisans, the State Government is considering to organize the Surajkund International Crafts Mela twice a year.
Interacting with High Commissioner of Sri lanka, Chitranganee Wagiswara at Surajkund, Manohar lal said that he is of the view that the craft persons should get more time to sell their artefacts. Therefore, the Mela should commence from first Friday of February and continue upto third Sunday of the month, he said.
During the meeting, Chitranganee Wagiswara praised the arrangements and facilities being provided to the artisans at the Mela and requested the Chief Minister to consider Sri lanka as partner country for the next Surajkund International crafts Mela.
She said that Sri lanka has been participating in the crafts mela for the last nine years and was a partner country in the year 2014. She informed the Chief Minister that 15 crafts persons from different parts of Sri lanka were participating in the Mela and they got a tremendous response as they were able to sell all their handicrafts in just first four days of the mela.
The Chief Minister said that as there are a lot of similarities between India and Sri lanka and troupes of artists of Haryana should be sent to Sri lanka to further promote our culture and traditions.
To this, Chitranganee Wagiswara informed the Chief Minister that Haryana could send a proposal under the India-Sri lanka Foundation to send their artists in Sri lanka. The meeting of India-Sri lanka Foundation is scheduled to be held on March 10.
Responding to this, the Chief Minister directed the concerned officers to send a proposal on stating an exchange programme between Haryana and Sri lanka.
During the meeting, it was informed that Surajkund International Crafts Mela is the largest crafts mela of the world. Haryana has already received proposal from three countries to become partner country for the Mela next year.
This year, the sale of entry tickets has recorded a new high of `4.50 crore as against the sale amounting to `4.29 crore during last year. On Sunday alone, the sale of tickets fetched `1.06 crore thus showing the growing popularity of the Mela. About 1000 families are earning their livelihood through this mela by selling their artefacts.