38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair Begins Today with Seven Partner Countries

The prestigious Surajkund International Crafts Fair opened its doors today in Faridabad, Haryana, marking its 38th edition with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the chief guest and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in attendance. This year's fair features Odisha and Madhya Pradesh as theme states, promising a rich cultural showcase.

Security and Facilities

600 CCTV cameras are installed throughout the fairground in order to maintain complete security. The number of shops has been increased from 1,100 to 1,300 to accommodate more artisans and meet visitor demands. Last year's fair attracted over 1.3 million visitors, and this year's edition is expected to draw even larger crowds.

International Participation

The fair has attracted 648 participants from 42 countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Afghanistan, Belarus, Myanmar, and member nations of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Three special pavilions have been set up, with Goa and Odisha pavilions being the main attractions.

Cultural Showcase and Culinary Delights

Visitors can experience diverse cultural performances, traditional crafts, and regional cuisines from across India and participating nations. Special emphasis has been placed on showcasing culinary specialties from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and the theme states of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.