Category Archives: Haryana

Youth must register on PM Internship Portal within the next 48 Hours: Gaurav Gautam

Chandigarh, November 9

Haryana Minister of State Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh. Gaurav Gautam said that to realise the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering and making youth self-reliant various new schemes have been introduced by the Central Government.

The Minister said that India’s youth would play a crucial role in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047, as the country has the world’s largest youth population. He said that as part of Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, 1,.25,000 Youth across the Nation would be getting internship opportunity with top companies and to grab this opportunity, every instructor and category instructor at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) is required to register a minimum of 20 youth (10th pass, ITI, diploma holders, graduates) on the PM Internship Portal, [www.pminternship.mca.gov.in] (http://www.pminternship.mca.gov.in) , within the next 48 hours.

The Minister said that instructors are required to submit a list of registered youth to their institution heads (ITI/IToT) by noon on Monday, November 11, 2024. This report must include each candidate’s name, category, and registration number on the PM Internship Portal, and strict compliance is mandatory. Principals will collect and scan these reports from instructors and submit them to the Traineeship Branch Headquarters by 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Participating interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs.5,000 along with a one-time grant of Rs.6,000.

Cabinet Ministers worship cows on Gopashtami

Chandigarh, November 9

On the occasion of the Gopashtami, the Hindu festival celebrating the sacred cow, observed on November 9, Haryana Cabinet Ministers worshipped cows at the Gaushalas located in their respective assembly constituencies.

Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij while speaking at a program organized at Rambagh Gaushala in Ambala Cantonment on the auspicious festival of Gopasthami said that in Indian culture cows are considered equivalent to mother and are worshipped as goddesses. He urged the people of the state to ensure that cows are not left on the roads.

Extending the greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Gopashtami, Sh. Anil Vij said that the day of Gopashtami is a very holy and great day. This day is the day of worship of Lord Shri Krishna’s most beloved cow. In this country, products made from the milk of the desi cow contain plenty of A-2 protein and consuming it also provides relief from diseases.

He said that the state government has released a grant of Rs 70 crore for 250 gaushalas across the state under the Govardhan Rehabilitation Scheme. A minimum financial assistance of Rs 3.50 lakh has been arranged for each gaushala on taking ‘Godhan’.

*Since ancient times, the cow has been a fundamental part of Indian culture and tradition, Vipul Goel*

The Urban Local Bodies Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel, emphasized the significance of cows in Indian culture. He said that since ancient times, the cow has been a fundamental part of Indian culture and tradition. The cow is the foundation of India’s faith and culture, said the Minister while addressing the devotees at the programme organized on the occasion of Gopashtami at Shri Krishna Gaushala in Karnal. Prior to this, he performed rituals for the holy cow, feeding it jaggery, fodder, and water as a gesture of respect.

Sh. Vipul Goel said that the state government is making significant efforts in cow protection and conservation, allocating crores of rupees to gaushalas every year. The government has also launched numerous initiatives to make gaushalas self-sustaining and has taken steps to bring stray cows to these gaushalas. Valuable support for cow protection is being received through religious and social organizations, with the general public also contributing.

He added that under the guidance of Gita Manishi Swami Shri Gyananand Ji Maharaj, the Haryana government is also working to spread awareness of cow service and the teachings of the sacred text, the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Through the International Gita Mahotsav, the message of the Gita is reaching people worldwide.

*Gau charand lands which are being used by Panchayats on contract basis, efforts will be made to get those lands released from contract, Shyam Singh Rana*

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government is making every effort for the welfare of Gauvansh. Under this, the Gau charand lands  which are being used by Panchayats on contract basis, efforts will be made to get those lands released from contract. Because our ancestors had left Gau charand land for the Gauvansh in the village, where cows used to graze, but in 1965, according to a court decision, the Gau charand land went to the Panchayats, every effort will be made to get them released.

The Minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the Gopashtmi Mahotsav organized at Shri Krishna Kripa Gaushala of Kurukshetra and Akhand Hanuman Gaushala of Ladwa today.

While extending best wishes for the Gopashtmi, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that cows have been of utmost importance in India since ancient times. Cow is considered a deity. The state government is encouraging gaushalas and has also formed a Gau Seva Aayog in the state.

Later, while interacting with the mediapersons, the Agriculture Minister said that there will be no shortage of DAP fertilizer in the state. Every day a train of fertilizer is coming to the state. On this occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Shri Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that in Indian mythology, it is believed that all the gods reside in cows, therefore livestock owners should ensure that the cattle is not left on roads.

*The State Government is committed to the Protection of Gauvansh, Ranbir Gangwa*

The Public Works and Public Health Engineering Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, said that serving cows is the highest form of duty. The state government is increasing the annual grant amount for the maintenance of gaushalas.

The Minister was addressing the 15th Annual Gau Ashtami Poojan Festival as the chief guest at Shri Gau Raksha Seva Samiti Gaushala on Agroha Road, Barwala, Hisar, today. During the event, he inaugurated a storage facility for fodder in the gaushala, in line with the CM announcement, and emphasized the cultural significance of cows in our heritage.

Affirming the present state government’s commitment to cow protection. He said that just as it is every person’s duty to serve their parents, it is also everyone’s responsibility to serve cows selflessly. Serving cows is even greater than serving humanity, and every person should strive to keep a cow in their home, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

Haryana is being developed as an education hub, Mahipal Dhanda

Chandigarh November 9

Haryana Education, Archaeology, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, during his visit to 10 villages in the Panipat Rural Assembly constituency on Saturday, said that dedicated efforts are being made to develop Haryana as an Education Hub. The government will create an environment in the state’s government schools that will make parents feel proud to admit their children to government schools instead of private ones, said the Minister. He also assured that the Kabadi School would be transformed, and a multi-story building would be constructed for the school.

The Minister said that the children in government schools would receive education that would enable them to soar to new heights in the future and fulfill the dreams of their parents. He encouraged the students of government schools to focus on their studies. He further added that the state government would provide the youth with their rights without any middlemen. He directed the teachers to prepare students in such a way that they become capable of standing on their own feet.

The Minister also emphasized that teachers in government schools would need to work with responsibility and integrity. Regular feedback will be taken, and inspections of government schools will be conducted from time to time. He announced to give Rs. 2 lakh from his discretionary fund and assured the upgrading of the Mahmoodpur school.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, expressed confidence that Haryana would become an education hub that other states would follow. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the country is becoming more powerful, and even nations that once kept their distance from India now look to India for research in various fields.

The Minister assured that the transformation of government schools would take place, with improvements in the basic facilities. Teachers who perform well will be felicitated. Every school will have facilities such as toilets, drinking water, proper gates, boundary walls, and better infrastructure. High-tech facilities will also be available in government schools, said Sh. Mahipal Dhanda.

Don’t get misled by Opposition: CM Nayab Singh Saini appeals to farmers

Chandigarh, November 09

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has requested all the farmers not to pay attention to any kind of rumours. He said his government is committed to ensure continuous supply of DAP in the state so that farmers do not face any kind of problem in sowing Rabi crops. Till Today, a stock of 23,118 metric tonnes of DAP is available in various districts. Within the next two to three days, 9,172 metric tonnes more DAP will be received in various districts of the state.

The Chief Minister said the Haryana Government has made all arrangements for the availability of fertilizers. Congress leaders are working to mislead the farmers whereas the truth is that adequate stock of fertilizers is available in Haryana and its distribution is also being ensured properly.

He said the DAP stock in the state is equal to the demand of last year. Last year, from October 1 to November 9, the consumption of DAP was 1,46,152 metric tonnes. This time, till November 9, 2024, 1,54,540 metric tonnes have been consumed. He said the Government of India has allotted 1,10,200 metric tonnes of DAP to Haryana for the month of November. Apart from this, 71,281 metric tonnes of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and 24,343 metric tonnes of NPK stock are still available in the state.

Share of commission agents increased from Rs 46 to Rs 55 per quintal

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the state government has worked for the interests of commission agents. “Our government has increased the commission of the commission agent from Rs 46 per quintal to Rs 55 per quintal. The additional burden of Rs 9 per quintal will be borne by the state government. The government has resolved all the problems of all rice millers in every possible way. A bonus of Rs 62.58 crore has been given to all rice millers till August 31, 2024 for delivery of CMR in the state. Apart from this, the matter of out-turn ratio of hybrid variety of paddy has also been placed before the Government of India.

So far, 50,46,872.45 metric tonnes of paddy procured, farmers paid more than Rs 11,296 crore.

Giving information about the purchase of Kharif crops, the Chief Minister said during this Kharif season 2024-25, 4,84,927 farmers are registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal for paddy. The government has made complete arrangements for the payment of the crop. After the purchase of the crop, the work of transferring the money to the accounts of the farmers was done within 72 hours. He said so far, 50,46,872.45 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured in the state, in lieu of which an amount of more than Rs 11,296 crore has been paid to the farmers.

Congress working only for self-interest: CM

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said seeing the farmer-friendly decisions of the Haryana Government and the arrangements made in the mandis for crop purchase, farmers of neighbouring states are also willing to sell their crops in the mandis of Haryana. Taking a dig at the Opposition, he said the Congress is not able to digest the farmer-friendly policies of the government. For the Congress, which claims to protect the interests of farmers, their own interests are paramount, not the interests of farmers.

He said in other states, farmers had to agitate to get their crops purchased at MSP, whereas in Haryana, the government made robust arrangements and every grain of the farmers’ crop is being purchased at MSP.

CM orders action against officials for not providing benefits of schemes to citizens

Chandigarh, November 09

Taking cognizance of incidents where benefits of government schemes were not being provided to the people of Haryana in a prompt, timely and transparent manner, the Nayab Singh Saini government has ordered action in such cases. Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday ordered to deduct 15 days’ salary of 2 Joint Commissioners, 2 Deputy Municipal Commissioners and an Executive Officer due to delay in implementing Shehri Swamitva Scheme. Apart from this, Gurugram Municipal Corporation clerk Sandeep Kumar was suspended with immediate effect in a case of demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000.

It is worth noting that different schemes of each department are monitored from the CM Dashboard Cell running at the Chief Minister’s residence. In this series, a confirmation cell talks to the beneficiaries over the phone and takes their feedback, which the Chief Minister himself listens to from time to time. After the implementation of the schemes, citizens are asked about their experience and under that, guidelines are given to the officials in the meeting.

On Friday, when the confirmation cell asked the beneficiaries about the Shehri Swamitva Scheme, some serious cases came to light. In a case in Gurugram, a beneficiary was being made to run around for two years despite depositing the full amount and Sandeep, the clerk, had demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000. The Chief Minister took strict cognizance of this and, adopting a zero tolerance policy on corruption, suspended Sandeep Kumar with immediate effect.

In Ambala, Sonipat and Nuh, citizens told the confirmation cell over the phone that the full amount had been deposited a year ago, but the officials have not yet got the conveyance deed done and made them run around the office again and again. The Chief Minister immediately issued instructions to deduct half a month’s salary of all the concerned officers and said that no officer will be spared for negligence in implementing the government schemes.

 On the orders of the Chief Minister, the Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Local Bodies Department have deducted 15 days’ salary of Municipal Corporation Gurugram Joint Commissioner Akhilesh Yadav, Municipal Corporation Ambala Joint Commissioner Puneet and Deputy Municipal Commissioner Deepak Sura, Municipal Corporation Sonipat Deputy Municipal Commissioner Hardeep and Nuh Municipal Corporation  Executive Officer Arun Nandal. Clear instructions have been given by the Chief Minister that the execution of the conveyance deed should be ensured within 2 days of payment of the full amount.

The Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Local Bodies Department have directed the officers to ensure the execution of the conveyance deed in the pending cases under the Shehri Swamitva Scheme in the next 3 days and submit the report. Apart from this, the execution of the conveyance deed of 100 such cases in which the full amount has been paid should also be completed by November 14, 2024. Not only this, instructions have also been given to take action on 2152 pending cases in the next 10 days.

Haryana Police Enhances Capacity with 27 New Dogs in Squad, Total Now 63

Chandigarh, November 6: Moving forward in capacity building and crime control, Haryana Police has made significant strides by expanding its dog squad under the guidance of Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur. The squad’s strength has been increased from 36 to 63 trained dogs, each equipped with advanced training to aid in solving crimes and catching criminals.

From January to October 2024, the Haryana Police dog squad contributed to the resolution of 24 cases, leading to the seizure of substantial quantities of narcotics. These include 24.45 kg of marijuana, 17.18 grams of heroin, 42.45 grams of smack, 10.572 kg of poppy husk, and 62 grams of charas.

DGP Shatrujeet Kapur explained that the Haryana Police utilizes three types of dogs, categorized based on their specific skills:
1. *Tracker Dogs*: These dogs assist investigating officers in cases like thefts and murders. They are mainly Labrador breeds and are managed by the State Crime Branch.
2. *Explosive Detection Dogs*: Used for VIP security and bomb detection at suspicious locations, these Labradors are managed by the CID.
3. *Narcotics Dogs*: Specialized in detecting drugs in various locations like buildings, vehicles, and open spaces, these dogs play a crucial role in narcotics control.

Currently, Haryana Police has a total of 63 dogs, with five deployed in the State Narcotics Control Bureau and 58 across all districts. Each dog is handled by a dedicated dog handler and assistant dog handler. The squad includes three main breeds: Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds, and Labradors, all of which receive high-quality care and maintenance.

The narcotics dogs are acquired from specialized firms when they are 3 to 6 months old, undergo medical examinations, and receive a rigorous six-month narcotics training course before deployment. After about 10 to 11 years of service, these dogs retire, at which point handlers and assistant handlers are given the first option to adopt them. If declined, the dogs are placed with NGOs or organizations.

The DGP noted the importance of the dog squad in crime control, adding that their training programs are specially designed to improve detection skills and assist in bringing offenders to justice. The squad also performs demonstrations on Republic Day and Independence Day, showcasing the dogs’ skills in crime prevention and public safety.

Energy Minister directs officers of the electricity board to supply electricity to consumers in rural and urban areas as per specified schedule and to address public issues at the primary level

IEP Chandigarh, February 6

Haryana  Energy Minister,  Sh. Ranjit Singh has directed officers of the electricity board to supply electricity to consumers in rural and urban areas according to the specified schedule and to address public issues at the primary level.

The Energy Minister participated in the Bijli Panchayat organized by the DHBVN in Hisar today, where he listened to the problems of consumers of urban and rural areas. Representatives from 16 gram panchayats of six districts and various villages presented their issues before the Energy Minister.

In the Panchayat, issues such as hanging electricity wires, providing solar panels for panchayat ghar, giving new electricity connections to farmers for shrimp farming, installing transformers, addressing obstacles in 11 and 33-KV lines from residential areas, removing high tension wires over residential and school areas, and resolving electricity-related complaints in dhanis were discussed. The Minister assured swift completion of the relevant tasks.

He said that the work on electricity tubewell connections for applicants of the year 2018-19 has been completed, and the work on tubewell connections from 2020 until now will be completed soon. He directed the officers to expedite the provision of pending electricity connections in dhanis and prioritize consumer-related work.

The Energy Minister further directed electricity department officers  to regularly inspect to curb electricity theft in urban and rural areas. Precautions should be taken on high-voltage lines to prevent any unforeseen events. The pending work of smart meters should be completed promptly.

Later, Sh. Ranjit Singh while addressing the media persons said that farmers are being provided with the highest compensation for crops. A thermal plant of 800 kilowatts will be operational in Yamunanagar by the state government. A proposal has been sent to install an additional unit in the Khedar thermal plant in Hisar. He informed that a new scheme implemented by the government will ensure monthly payment of electricity bills through the app. The pilot project has been started in four districts, including Hisar, he said.

Haryana Achieves Healthcare Milestone: First Successful Renal Transplant at PGIMS, Rohtak Marks a Landmark Moment

IEP Chandigarh, February 5

The Government of Haryana takes immense pride in announcing yet another significant milestone in the healthcare sector of our state. February 4, marks a historic moment as the First Renal Transplant Surgery was successfully conducted at PGIMS, Rohtak, the first in the government facility in the State of Haryana.

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, congratulated the dedicated medical team consisting of Transplant Surgeons Dr. Vivek Thakur and Dr. Gaurav Shankar Pandey and Nephrologists Dr. Arun Dua and, Dr. Ankur Goel and the Anesthesia team consisting of Dr. Mamta, Professor, Dr. Ashish, Assistant Professor and Dr. Asha, Assistant Professor along with their mentor Dr. Ashish Sharma, Professor Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER Chandigarh to make this milestone possible.

The team successfully transplanted both the kidneys of the brain dead donor patient to the two (02) needy patients in PGIMS, Rohtak and also successfully managed to extract the liver of the donor and sent the same to ILBS, Delhi for Liver transplant, thus saving 03 lives. In a compassionate move towards recognizing the selfless act of organ donation, as a small token of gratitude Rs. 5 lakhs was announced to be given to the family of the Donor.

CM further highlighted that Renal transplant is a complex and a lifesaving procedure and now the facility which was earlier only available in private sector hospitals in the State of Haryana at a huge cost of Rs. 8 to 10 lakh will now be available at a nominal amount for poor and needy patients of the State. This achievement is a result of collaborative efforts between the medical professionals at PGIMS, Rohtak, Medical Education Department and the unwavering support of the Government

Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said this is a testament of the commitment of our government in enhancing healthcare services and ensuring access to advanced medical treatments for all. He informed that very soon the facility for Liver transplant shall also be available in the Government Sector. He expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals, support staff, and all those involved in making this achievement a reality. He informed that the success of the first renal transplant PGIMS, Rohtak is a promising start, and the government is committed to continually improve and expand and further strengthen healthcare services for the well-being of the people of the State.

Haryana Chief Secretary inaugurates two-day Conclave on Urban Planning

IEP Chandigarh, February 5

Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal today inaugurated a two-day conclave organized by High-Level Committee (HLC) for “Urban Planning” in collaboration with the Town and Country Planning Department, Haryana here today.  The conclave was attended by more than 100 participants including bureaucrats and technocrats from the Government of India and State Government Departments. 

The objective of this conclave is to deliberate upon and to share the experiences with the stakeholders about the state-specific initiatives and policies of the State of Haryana on Urban Planning, Public Private Partnership, TOD, TDR, and Affordable housing as well as sharing of the experiences by other senior functionaries from other parts of the country. Based on the deliberations, the Conclave aims to set the future roadmap for urbanization in Haryana.

The speakers from HLC, MoHUA, NITI Aayog, Indian Institute of Human Settlement (IIHS), academic institutes like; SPA, CEPT, Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA), HRERA, Institute of Urban Finance and Governance, Pune and GIZ etc. delivered the presentation on various aspects concerning Urban Planning during the conclave and shared their experiences and best practices across the country and abroad.

On the first day, four technical sessions were held. The first session was chaired by Sh. Keshav Varma, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, HLC. The theme of the session was ‘Capacity Augmentation of Urban Planning’. In this session, the presentations were made by Sh. Amit Khatri, IAS, Director, Town and Country Planning, Haryana; Dr. P.S.N. Rao, Dean (P&D), SPA New Delhi and Ms. Anshika Gupta, Specialist Urban Development, NITI Aayog.

The Second Session was chaired by Dr. P.S.N. Rao, Dean (P&D), SPA New Delhi. The theme of the session was ‘Haryana Context-Statutory Framework and Role of Authorities’. In this session, the presentations were delivered by Sh. Arun Kumar, Chairman, HRERA, Gurugram; Sh. Parneet Singh Sachdev, Chairman, HRERA, Panchkula; Sh. D.N. Nimbokar, CCP(NCR), Haryana and Sh. Jitender Sihag, CTP (IT&M), Haryana.

        The third technical session was chaired by Sh. V.K. Goyal, Member, HRERA. The theme of the session was ‘Public Private Partnership in Urban Development in Haryana’. In this session, the presentations were delivered by Sh. Sanjay Kumar, STP, T&CP Department, Haryana; Sh. Vinay Maheshwari, President, JBM Group; Sh. Narender Kumar, DTP, T&CP Department, Haryana and Ms. Divya Dogra, DTP, T&CP Department, Haryana.

The fourth session was also chaired by Dr. P.S.N. Rao, Dean (P&D), SPA, New Delhi. The theme of this session was ‘Strengthening Urban Finance & Institutional Mechanism’. In this session, the presentations were delivered by Sh. Ravikant Joshi, Consultant, Urban Finance and Governance, Pune; Sh. Keshav Varma, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, HLC and Sh. Prabhat Kumar, Janaagraha, Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

An official said that this conclave has given a wider platform to the urban/town planning professionals for cross-learning about practices and techniques of their profession being followed in other states as well as abroad. He further stated that the recommendations of this Conclave will definitely help in improvising the urban planning system being practiced in the State.

Administrative Secretaries, HODs, Town Planners and other Senior functionaries of all related Government Departments/Agencies viz, DULB, HSVP, GMDA, FMDA, PMDA, SMDA, HMRTC, HRERA, etc. and shared the best practices and achievements of their Department/agency.

It may be recalled that the High-Level Committee (HLC) for ‘Urban Planning’ was constituted under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The roadmap for the constitution of High-Level Committee for ‘Urban Planning’ was drawn by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister in her budget speech in 2022-23.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates 37th Surajkund International Crafts Fair-2024

IEP Chandigarh, February 2

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu today inaugurated the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Fair-2024. Haryana Governor Sh Bandaru Dattatreya and Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal also attended the event.

Following the inauguration, the President commended all teams involved for the successful organization of this fair, which has been organised since 1987. He specifically lauded Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal and his team for their efforts in organizing this year’s event.

Highlighting the Republic of Tanzania as the partner country of this year’s fair, she informed the significance of cultural exchanges, which were discussed during her meetings with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in October last year. She said that visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant and colorful arts and crafts of Tanzania, including wood carving, pottery, and weaving. It is a wonderful platform to showcase Tanzanian dance, music and cuisine, in which we can also glimpse some Indian influence due to centuries of people-to-people contact between India and the East African coast. The participation of Tanzania as a partner nation in this fair highlights India’s partnership with the African Union.

Mrs. Droupadi Murmu highlighted the rich art and tradition of Gujarat, the partner state of this year’s fair, as something truly worth experiencing. The diverse and vibrant art forms of the state will be showcased through the skilled craftsmen and artists representing various regions of Gujarat. She also noted that the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Limited is the cultural partner of this year’s fair, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the event. Mrs. Murmu expressed appreciation for the craftsmen who have diligently preserved the artistic heritage of the country, emphasizing that their dedication deserves commendation.

She said that a trade worth more than Rs 20 crore is expected during this fair, which is a huge platform from the economic point of view for the craftsmen and handloom traders.

During the inauguration, the President visited Haryana’s Apna Ghar Pavilion, where she received detailed information about the instruments showcasing Haryanvi culture. She also interacted with artisans while exploring the stalls representing Gujarat, the fair’s theme state. In addition, she took interest in the cultural styles showcased by participating countries and regions, offering encouragement.

Surajkund International Crafts Fair carved a niche in the global tourist calendar – Governor Bandaru Dattatreya

Speaking on this occasion, Haryana Governor Sh Bandaru Dattatreya hailed today as a historic milestone for the state of Haryana, underscoring the significant presence of President Smt. Draupadi Murmu, which has added a new dimension of grandeur to the fair. With her attendance, the day has been etched into the annals of Haryana’s history. Governor Dattatreya said that this year’s fair showcases Gujarat as the theme state, renowned for its cultural diversity and rich civilization, while Tanzania serves as the partner nation, which has the deep-rooted ties with India. He expressed hope that such collaborative events would further strengthen bilateral relations between the nations.

The Governor also highlighted the Surajkund International Fair’s prominent status on the international tourist calendar, noting its evolution into a highly anticipated annual event that consistently achieves success. Last year alone, approximately 14 lakh tourists from India and abroad attended the fair. This year’s 37th edition promises even greater diversity and cultural exchange, with participation expected from artists and craftsmen representing about 50 countries, he added.

Surajkund International Crafts Fair became a symbol of Haryana identity – Chief Minister Manohar Lal

Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal extended heartfelt gratitude to President Smt. Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the people of the state for gracing Haryana with her presence. He underscored the historical significance of Surajkund, constructed by King Surajpal of the Tomar dynasty, situated at the foothills of the Aravalli range. Shaped like the rising sun and built in Roman style, Surajkund symbolizes progress, with the International Handicraft Fair, now in its 37th year, holding special significance. He stated that the Surajkund International Crafts Fair has become the identity of Haryana.

The Chief Minister also extended a warm welcome to the artisans and craftsmen from the  partner country, the United Republic of Tanzania, and said that the arts and crafts of the East African country Tanzania will definitely be the center of attraction in this fair. In addition, he highlighted Gujarat as the partner state for this year’s fair, further enhancing the diversity and vibrancy of the event.

He said that this year marks a significant milestone as the fair sees participation from over 40 countries for the first time, setting a new record. Chief Minister highlighted the provision of more than 1000 stalls for craftsmen and artisans, providing them with ample opportunity to showcase their talents and creations. He also emphasized the inclusion of Haryana’s culture through features like Chaupal and Apna Ghar, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich heritage of the state. With expectations of 15 to 20 lakh attendees over the course of the 16-day fair, he anticipated a vibrant and bustling event celebrating art, culture, and tradition.

Sh Manohar Lal said that the artwork and handicrafts crafted by artisans embody the true spirit of self-reliant India. Recognizing their significance, Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has made special efforts in this direction. The Surajkund International Handicraft Fair has served as an excellent platform for craftsmen and handloom artisans to showcase their skills for the past 36 years. This fair offers a glimpse into the folk arts, traditional dishes, music, dances, and costumes from various regions. It stands as a trinity of tradition, heritage, and culture, attracting tourists not only from India but from around the world, he added.

The state consistently provides platforms to promote craftsmanship. In addition to this fair, Saras mela are organized at the district level, offering craftsmen and weavers opportunities to exhibit their handicrafts, he added.

Addressing the gathering, Haryana Tourism and Heritage Minister Sh Kanwar Pal Surajkund Crafts Mela is being organized for 37 years and its popularity is increasing every year. He credited the fair’s recent surge in popularity to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal, under whose guidance it has rapidly expanded. He also highlighted the Chief Minister’s dedicated efforts to elevate tourism and events like Surajkund fair to global prominence, resulting in the participation of various countries in the fair. He extended his best wishes for the immense success of the fair.

Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Sh Krishan Pal, Haryana Transport Minister Sh Moolchand Sharma, Chief Secretary Sh Sanjeev Kaushal, Director General of Police Sh Shatrujit Kapur and other MPs and MLAs were also present on this occasion.