Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday inaugurated the 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Crafts Mela, hailing artisans as the true “custodians of India’s civilisational heritage.” Addressing a large gathering at the historic Surajkund grounds, the Vice President emphasized that the fair is more than a marketplace—it is a vibrant manifestation of India’s cultural soul and its enduring “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant) spirit.

Radhakrishnan noted that the Mela embodies the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) by bringing together skilled hands and creative minds from across the globe on a common platform. He remarked that empowering these artisans is essential for building an inclusive and sustainable economy, citing government initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma Scheme as key drivers for their growth.

This year’s fair, running until February 15, features Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya as the theme states, while Egypt is participating as the partner nation. The Vice President visited the ‘Haryana Apna Ghar’ pavilion, where he was welcomed with a traditional Haryanvi turban, and toured the stalls of the partner nation and theme states. He also launched the “Mela Saathi” mobile app to assist visitors with navigation and event information.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who presided over the function, described the Mela as a “cultural movement” that has grown over four decades to connect indigenous craftsmanship with global markets. The event hosts over 1,200 stalls with participants from more than 50 countries, promising a rich display of handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural performances.