Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma said that the 39th Surajkund International Aatmanirbhar Craft Festival will make a strong impact on the world’s cultural and tourism map.
With the objective of realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the festival will strengthen the cultural heritage of national and international artists, artisans, and weavers, while giving fresh momentum to intellectual and commercial activities.
Addressing a press conference at his office in the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Wednesday, Dr Arvind Sharma shared that Vice President of India CP Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the craft conclave at Surajkund, Faridabad, on January 31.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will attend the event as special guests. He added that the 16-day-long festival will conclude on February 15, with Governor Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh as the Chief Guest.
Dr Sharma said the 39th Surajkund International Aatmanirbhar Craft Festival is not merely an event, but a celebration of India’s cultural unity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of self-reliance.
He said the festival will live up to its commitment to preserving Haryana’s heritage, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for talented artisans and craftsmen, and strengthening international cultural cooperation.
He informed that Egypt, as the Partner Nation for the fourth time, will attract visitors with its ancient art and culture, while the Theme States—Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya—will showcase their rich cultural and folk traditions at the fairground.
Last year, 635 participants from 44 countries displayed their talent, whereas this year nearly 800 participants from over 50 countries will take part.
The Heritage and Tourism Minister further said that more than 1,200 stalls have been allotted at the festival for national and international weavers and artisans for the exhibition and sale of traditional crafts. Renowned artists, including Padma Shri Kailash Kher, Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan, and Padma Shri Mahabir Guddu, among others, will perform at the festival.
To keep Haryana’s cultural and folk art traditions alive, regional artists will perform on various stages, featuring traditional musical instruments such as the ektara, sarangi, and dheru.
Keeping in view the increasing footfall of tourists every year, infrastructure development works worth approximately ₹4.75 crore have been undertaken at the fairground. These include beautification of the venue, widening of pathways, construction of 127 new huts, repair of old huts, and expansion of the amusement area.
Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma also expressed deep grief over the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a crash-landing incident.
Sharing more details, Commissioner and Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Department, Dr Amit Kumar Agrawal, said that the Surajkund International Craft Mela is not just a fair, but an event with national and international recognition.
Artisans from all corners of the country participate in it, along with wide international participation. He said the fair witnesses sustained demand and a rich diversity of craft products.
Dr Agrawal further said that the Surajkund Mela is organised not for commercial purposes, but to promote artisans and their craftsmanship. The event strengthens self-reliance, enhances export potential, and provides local products with a global platform, thereby realising the vision of “Local to Global.”