24th Surajkund Craft Mela will begin in the outskirts of national capital Delhi on Monday. This 15 day long MELA, organized jointly by Union Tourism Ministry and the Haryana Government, will display the workmanship of artisans from all over the country. Over 400 crafts persons of the country were expected to participate in the Mela this year. Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari is scheduled to inaugurate the MELA. Surajkund mela also provides a platform to the children to explore their potential in activities like Kite Flying, Face Painting, Rangoli, Drawing and Painting, theater and Folk Dance competitions.<br/><br/>AIR Correspondent reports, Rajasthan will be the ‘Theme State’ and Republic of Tajikistan will be ‘Partner Country’ of the internationally acclaimed Surajkund Crafts Mela. SAARC countries, Thailand and Egypt will also participate in the Mela. Rajsthan's Shekhawati gate had been a point of attraction in the mela for long time.<br/><br/>The weavers and craft persons along with folk dancers, theatre troupes, jugglers and road side magicians together to attract thousands of visitors from India and abroad every year. More than five thousand children were expected to represent their schools and colleges this year.<br/>