In Faridabad district of Haryana, the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela began today. Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt Meera Kumar inaugurated the Mela. Union Minister of Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahay, Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupender Singh Hooda and Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gagoi were also present on this occasion. A Haryana government spokesman said that Assam is participating as the theme State in the Mela for the second time. Thailand is the Partner Nation in this year’s Surajkund Crafts Mela. Crafts persons and artists from Thailand and SAARC countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afganistan are participating in the mela. Besides, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Congo are also participating in the Mela. Over 700 crafts- persons from India and abroad will showcase their products in this 15-day long carnival.