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Fly over Surajkund Mela
The fortnight-long 26th Surajkund Mela will start from Wednesday. More than 700 craftsmen from across and 11 foreign countries will showcase their artefacts and heritage during the annual extravaganza.
The fortnight-long 26th Surajkund Mela will start from Wednesday. More than 700 craftsmen from across and 11 foreign countries will showcase their artefacts and heritage during the annual extravaganza.
This time, visitors can even enjoy an aerial view of the fair on a helicopter. The service is being introduced for the first time in 26 years. “We have tied up with Virat Aviation Pvt Ltd for the helicopter service,” said Anand Mohan Sharan, MD of Haryana Tourism Development Corporation. “Visitors will have to pay Rs2,000 to enjoy a copter ride,” said Nidhi Singh, executive director of Virat Aviation Pvt Ltd.
Union tourism secretary RH Khwaja said Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar will inaugurate the fair on Wednesday. Assam CM Tarun Gogoi and his Haryana counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda will also be present.
Assam is the theme state this year, whereas Thailand is the partner country.
“In all, 11 countries are participating in the mela this year,” said Sharan. All SAARC nations — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan — apart from Thailand, Congo, Uzbekistan, Tajakistan and Kyrgystan are participating in the event.
Last year, Andhra Pradesh and Uzbekistan were the partner state and country, respectively. “This time, a mini Assam will be created at Surajkund,” officials said.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements are being put in place. More than 1,000 police personnel will be deployed. Over 100 CCTVs will also be installed on the ground, officials said. “Massive security arrangements are being put in place at the mela ground,” said SS Kapur, CP, Faridabad.
