Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday formally inaugurated the 36th International Surajkund Mela at Faridabad.

Speaking on the occasion, the speaker said India has become the fastest-growing country in the world in terms of the global economy in which art and crafts have made significant contributions.

“Earlier, our country was at the 10th place in the world in terms of economic progress, whereas under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has now jumped to 5th place and I am hopeful that India will soon be at the first position,” said Dhankhar.

The vice-president said for the first time in the country, every person is getting an opportunity to showcase his/her talent. Praising the Surajkund mela being organised by Manohar Lal-led state government, he said that this fair has an important contribution to making India shine bright on the world map.

Describing the mela as a confluence of diverse cultures and arts of the country, the vice-president said the participation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries in this mela is a historic moment.

Terming the cultural importance of the North-Eastern states of India as glorious for the country, he said the talented artists and craftsmen of these states who have reached this mela have become a live example that under the able dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has been swiftly moving on the development track.

On the announcements made for craftsmen in the General Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the vice-president said under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the country has made unprecedented progress in the field of digitisation. “The monetary benefits of about Rs 27 lakh crore of 300 schemes are being sent directly to the accounts of the beneficiaries,” he added.

He said craftsmen and artists are getting direct benefits from the Mudra Yojana, Hunar haat, and Hastshilp Yojana implemented by the Prime Minister. He said Unity Mall would prove to be a milestone in the promotion of crafts made by artists for the sale of products made under the One District-One Product scheme.

Welcoming the Vice-President, Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar said it is a matter of pride that the Vice-President has inaugurated the Surajkund Mela which gives a golden opportunity to artisans from India and as well as participating countries to present their rich legacy of arts and crafts.

“Along with strengthening the ties of unity in the diversity of our country, Surajkund International Crafts Mela also takes forward the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’,” he said.