Surajkund fair reflects ‘local to global’ vision, says Haryana governor

The closing ceremony saw awards for artisans and a tribute to Inspector Jagdish Prasad. Ministers and officials toured installations and cultural exhibits at the venue.

Published on: Feb 16, 2026, 04:38:08 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Haryana governor Aseem Kumar Ghosh on Sunday said the Surajkund International Aatmanirbhar Crafts Fair reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the “local to global” approach, while addressing the closing ceremony of the event’s 39th edition.

The fair featured participants from over 50 countries. Officials highlighted improved crowd management, food courts and digital connectivity across the mela premises. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

The Governor said the event has evolved into a platform where tradition and innovation work together. “The fair reflects the skill, determination and creativity of artisans, weavers and folk performers from India and across the world. It strengthens the spirit of unity in diversity and showcases India’s civilisational heritage with pride,” he said.

Prof. Ghosh, accompanied by his wife Mitra Ghosh, toured the fairgrounds with Cooperation, Tourism and Heritage Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel and Mayor Praveen Batra Joshi. The dignitaries were welcomed with traditional Haryanvi turbans at Apna Ghar, and the Governor presented awards to artisans.

The Governor said Egypt participated for the fourth time as partner nation, while theme states Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya showcased installations inspired by Prayagraj and Ayodhya gates. More than 800 artisans and artists from over 50 countries took part.

Sharma said the fair was “not merely an exhibition but a celebration of India’s cultural consciousness”. “Every craft displayed here carries generations of tradition, hard work and identity. The fair strengthens self-reliance, boosts export potential and provides a genuine global platform to local products,” he said. He added that 1.78 million visitors attended till Saturday, with nearly 300,000 on Sunday.

Authorities said nearly three lakh people attended on Sunday alone. Installations included replicas such as the Sudarshan Chakra and Egyptian-themed décor. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Haryana Tourism Corporation MD Parth Gupta said free Wi-Fi, sanitation zones, food courts and crowd management measures were introduced. Installations included replicas such as the Sudarshan Chakra and Egyptian-themed decor.

Sharma also paid tribute to Inspector Jagdish Prasad, who died saving tourists during a swing accident on February 7. “His sacrifice will always be remembered,” he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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