Other dignitaries present in the function were Chief Minister Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov, Chairman, Suraj Kund Mela Authority and senior officials from state governments of Haryana and J&K.

 

Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir is participating as theme partner of the mela, which reflected the grandeur, art, culture and cuisines of the UT. The mela is exhibiting the architectural depiction of Kashmiri House, Houseboat, Front Facade of Mubarak Mandi Jammu, Bache Durwaza and Chashme Shahi. In addition, there were live demonstrations of 6 different crafts of J&K in the setting of Khankha E Maula with cultural programs running throughout the day. Also, there will be an elegant fashion show by Zubair Kirmani in the coming days which will be based upon the traditional dresses of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Special cultural performances by artists from J&K will be on 22nd of March and 4th of April, 2022. Various government departments like Tourism, Industries and Commerce, Khadi & Village Industries, JKI, Agriculture, Horticulture and JKTDC are also participating in the event. Around, 60+ stalls have been installed in the mela representing unique crafts of J&K.

 

Thousands of craft lovers thronged the mela after its inauguration and appreciated the unique blend of a variety of J&K’s art, culture and tradition.

 

The chief guest and other dignitaries visited the J&K pavilion including Apna Ghar of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Senior officers from J&K who attended the inaugural ceremony were Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries J&K, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir division, Veedushi Kapooor, Deputy Labour Commissioner and other officers from Industries and Tourism departments. 

 

Uzbekistan is the partner country for this edition of the mela.(KNS)