Chandigarh's National Crafts Mela ends, to be annual event

Chandigarh, Nov 2 : The 10-day National Crafts Mela held in this union territory (UT) ended Monday, with organisers planning to make it an annual affair.

Tourism Minister Kumari Selja was the chief guest during the closing ceremony.

"The fair was visited not only by domestic tourists but a huge number of foreign tourists. All ten days saw a terrific response - be it the food court, different stalls or the cultural evening," said Ram Niwas, home-cum-cultural affairs secretary.

"We will make this mela an annual event from next year. It will certainly put Chandigarh on the international tourism map," he added.

The Oct 24-Nov 2 mela was organised on the lines of Haryana's Surajkund Mela at a budget of over Rs. 60 lakh (Rs. 6 million.)

More than 200 artisans, national and state awardees in their respective fields, and over 300 folk dancers from across the country participated in this first edition of crafts mela.