Chhattisgarh has been included as the ‘Theme State’ in Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which is to be organised by Central Government at Faridabad, Haryana, next year.
The crafts exhibition will be organised from February 1 to 15, 2015. Chhattisgarh State has been invited to participate in this exhibition as ‘Theme State’.In this regard, Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand on Wednesday convened meeting of senior officials of all the departments at the Mantralaya and issued directives to expedite preparations for participation of Chhattisgarh state in this important event.
The Chief Secretary said that a core team of Chhattisgarh Government officials should be constituted for the afore mentioned purpose. He directed to include senior officials from State Government’s departments of Culture and Tourism, Handicraft Development, Public Relations, Forest and Rural Industries, in this core team.
The Chief Secretary said that the products manufactured by handicraft, Matikala and handloom groups of Chhattisgarh have performed well in the international crafts exhibitions organised in recent years.
Officials have also been directed to ensure that the State performs better than previous years in this event. In this exhibition, cultural and traditional costumes of Chhattisgarh will be displayed. Moreover, the State Tourism Department will promote the tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh and will also put up a food stall based on Chhattisgarhi cuisine.
In the meeting, it was informed that Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board will look after the theme-based decoration of area allotted at the exhibition venue.The Board, in association with Exhibition Authority, will erect a permanent gate there at the exhibition venue. This gate will symbolise the historical, religious and other important monuments of Chhattisgarh. Handicraft and Matikala Board will select a traditional family of Chhattisgarh for exhibition.
The Chhattisgarh Handloom Development Board will organise a fashion show, based on the theme- handloom, art, culture and traditions of Chhattisgarh. Directorate of Culture will select artists to present the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh at the international exhibition.
Special cultural performances will be staged on the inaugural and concluding programme of the exhibition. The Directorate of Archaeology will prepare replication of important monuments in Chhattisgarh State. likewise, Forest Department will put up a stall of forest-based medicines.