By Jaison Wilson
New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) Showcasing enormous crafts in vibrant stalls, live extravaganza featuring national and international performers and enjoying crowd in a gala occasion - 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Faridabad that wind-up on Sunday replicates a global craft village.
This year, the top draws at the fair includes Pashmina stoles from Nepal, wooden crafts from Uganda, metal jewellery from South Africa, white honey and traditional hats from Kyrgyzstan, handmade bags from Bangladesh and artifacts from Tanzania among many.
If you are not a shopping enthusiast there is a 'food courts haveli' consisting of 36 stalls, where you can try variety of multi-cuisine food from across the country. Also the fair has cultural performances in open-air Chaupal where renowned singers, musicians and poets will perform daily.
Launched in 1987, to showcase the richness and diversity of the handicrafts and cultural heritage of India, the fair organised by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs, is a meeting place of cultural diversity across the globe.
Children and Selfie freaks cannot miss the Lanterns from Turkey and various rides in amusement area. Apart from the sellers the international arena is rich with performers from different countries.
The mela has attained international stature with about More than 325 artistes and 29 countries participating this year. The 17-day long Mela was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the theme state is Uttar Pradesh with Kyrgyzstan as the partner country.
Uttar Pradesh, which is the theme state for the first time, is focusing on religious tourism, rural tourism and spiritual tourism apart from showcasing its art, culture and heritage in the mela. The colourful stalls of the state are a sight for sore eyes and thus prove the tagline of the state tourism department " UP nahi dekha toh India nahi dekha" (If you have not seen UP, then you have not seen India too).
The lively fair is also a major attraction for foreign tourists. "I love this fair and atmosphere here, there are plenty of things to buy. Even I'm confused in choices when I see the never ending stalls", a shopper Amelie from Germany said.
Apart from entertainment, the Mela has taken some social initiatives also. At stall number 974, students of the Haryana Welfare Society for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment, make handmade bags, toys and handicrafts. In another stall prison inmates of Haryana showcase their creative skills in the form of art products made from paper, straw and wood.
The Mela, a major attraction for families is a child-friendly event that highlights zero tolerance towards child rights violation."Details of every child that enters the fair will be recorded. A computer generated band with identification number for children will also be provided. So if a child gets lost in the Mela can be tracked easily”, a childline foundation official said.
The fair that attracts more than a million Indian and international visitors showcases some of the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts of different states of the country.
The venue, spread over 42.5 acres, has been divided into six zones and has 1,071 work huts for craftspersons. This year the duration of the fair has been increased from 15 days to 17 days considering the growing global popularity of the event, the organisers said.

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