Surajkund Mela recorded 7 lakh footfalls
Over seven lakh people, including more than 15,000 foreigners, visited the Surajkund Mela in 2008.
By PTI |
SURAJKUND: Over seven lakh people, including more than 15,000 foreigners, visited the Surajkund Mela in 2008.
The 15-day fair came to an end today with a colourful show of folk dances from the 'theme state' West Bengal and the host state Haryana.
Governor A R Kidwai attended the concluding function at the fair which witnessed 60 per cent of the state prize winner artisans putting their art for the show.
He also distributed prize to the artisan under different category in recognition to their contribution to the different aspect of handicrafts.
Subhadra Devi, 68, from Salempur village of Madhubani District of Bihar got the highest honour 'Kala Ratan Award' for her brilliant Paper Machine work.
Appreciating artisans' innovative efforts to keep the "great heritage" of handicraft vibrant, he said that the government is committed to encourage this old cultural heritage of India.
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"People are still very interested in handicrafts and their respect for this art is proven by the huge public turning up for the Mela," he said. According to the tourism department around seven lac visitors including more than 15 thousands foreigners participated in the Mela this year.
Apart from the artisans from within the remote parts of the country, the participants included the craftsmen from SAARC countries, Afghanistan, Thailand and Brazil also, said Kiran Chaudhary, minister of state for tourism.
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