Surajkund Diwali Mela Providing a New Market for ‘Swadeshi’ Products and Artisans: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Faridabad, October 23: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Surajkund Diwali Mela is a meaningful initiative to provide a new market to artisans, craftspeople and artists who are working hard to realise the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and promote Swadeshi products. The objective of the Mela is to bring local products directly to customers without intermediaries and ensure that artisans receive fair returns for their hard work. He said that growing public trust in local products would help artisans reach new customers and encourage them to expand their work.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a gathering on Friday at the inauguration of the Diwali Mela at Surajkund in Faridabad. Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Artists also presented colourful cultural performances during the ceremony.

Welcoming all visitors and tourists attending the Mela,  Nayab Singh Saini extended his greetings on Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami, Dhanteras, Diwali, Vishwakarma Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja. He said that the Mela, being organised from October 23 to 26, would showcase Indian handicrafts, folk culture and the diverse culinary traditions of different regions. Families visiting the Mela would have an opportunity to experience the country’s rich traditions up close and purchase products made by artisans and craftspeople.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister  Narendra Modi has set the goal of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Achieving this vision requires connecting self-reliance and the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative with public participation. Village potters, weavers, carpenters, small shopkeepers and women entrepreneurs have an important role to play in this endeavour. The Surajkund Diwali Mela provides an opportunity to strengthen this participation.

He said that the most beautiful light of Diwali is the one that illuminates not only our own homes but also the homes of hardworking families. Purchasing products made by local artisans during festivals supports their livelihoods. Such purchases help artisans generate resources to take up new work, buy raw materials and create employment opportunities for others associated with their work.

The Chief Minister said that adopting Swadeshi means trusting the talent of our own country and giving it opportunities to grow. By incorporating quality Indian-made products into our lives, we can honour the skills and hard work of our artisans. Giving preference to Indian handicrafts for home decoration, clothing and festive gifts would boost artisans’ confidence and motivate them to improve their products further.

The Chief Minister said that Sanjha Bazaars are being established at all district headquarters across the state. Online and offline platforms have been made available to support marketing and branding. So far, 10 Sanjha Bazaars have been established in Haryana. In addition, the ‘SVAPN Digital Gram Bazaar Portal’ and the ‘Sanjha Bazaar Sales Portal’ have been launched under the Haryana State Rural Livelihoods Mission. Artisans and Self-Help Groups can register on these portals and sell their products online. Training facilities have also been arranged to help them understand the requirements of online marketplaces.
He said that Self-Help Groups have emerged as a strong medium for women’s empowerment, and their products are gaining recognition across the state. Under the Haryana State Rural Livelihoods Mission, more than 6 lakh families have been connected through 67,641 Self-Help Groups so far. These groups receive financial assistance through easy loans in the form of Revolving Funds and Community Investment Funds. Various forms of financial assistance amounting to ₹596 crore have been provided to date. The Community Investment Fund amount has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana has continued to connect people from across the country and the world through events such as the Surajkund Crafts Mela, the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra and the Mango Festival in Pinjore. Such events provide local producers with opportunities to showcase their products and connect with new customers. The Surajkund Diwali Mela further strengthens this cultural and economic connection.

The Chief Minister also urged all participating artisans and visitors to fulfil their responsibilities towards cleanliness and environmental protection. He called upon them to keep the Mela grounds and surrounding areas clean, carry cloth bags while shopping, and avoid wasting food and water. He encouraged people to use earthen lamps and durable decorative items to make festivals more environmentally friendly. He emphasised the importance of involving children in these good practices to develop sensitivity towards nature from an early age.

Heritage and Tourism Minister Urges NCR Residents to Shop at the Diwali Mela
Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said that Surajkund has evolved from a centre of religious faith into an international hub for trade. This year, the Surajkund International Crafts Mela attracted 20 lakh visitors, including tourists from 50 countries. Following a similar trajectory, the Surajkund Diwali Mela is gradually establishing a special place in people’s hearts. He urged residents of the Delhi-NCR region to visit the Mela over the next four days, enjoy the festivities and shop for Diwali at the 300 stalls set up at the venue. This would provide encouragement to local artists and artisans.

Dr. Arvind Sharma said that everyone must move forward in accordance with Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision and fulfil their respective responsibilities towards making India a developed nation by 2047. Surajkund would serve as a foundation for promoting the cultural heritage of Haryana and India and helping realise the vision of a developed India.

The Tourism Minister said that archaeological excavations are underway at Rakhigarhi in Haryana, offering an opportunity to explore a civilisation dating back 10,000 years. Rakhigarhi provides a glimpse into the ancient Sanatan cultural heritage. He urged more people to visit the site, explore the thousands-of-years-old civilisation and gain an understanding of how people lived during that period.

Present on this occasion were Faridabad Mayor Praveen Batra Joshi, former Minister Seema Trikha, Rita Sharma (wife of Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma), Commissioner and Secretary of the Tourism Department Dr. Amit Agarwal, Divisional Commissioner Sanjay June, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Rajiv Jaitley, Managing Director Parth Gupta, Municipal Commissioner Yashendra Singh, Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ayush Sinha, ADC Anjali Shrotriya, Badkhal SDM Trilok Chand, National Council member Sandeep Joshi, former MLA Narendra Gupta, Faridabad District President Pankaj Pujan Rampal, Ballabgarh President Sohan Pal Singh, and Palwal’s Vipin Bainsla, along with artisans, craftspeople, artists, and other distinguished guests from across the state.