CM inaugurates Diwali Mela at Surajkund

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has stated that the path to make India a developed nation was through ‘vocal for local’, ‘self-reliance’, and ‘swadeshi’. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Diwali Mela at Surajkund, Faridabad, on Thursday.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries. He also extended greetings to the people of the state on the festival of Dasehra.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the theme of this year’s Diwali Mela in Surajkund was on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘swadeshi mela’ and ‘we unite families'. Drawing parallels with India’s freedom movement, Saini said that just as the Swadeshi Movement strengthened the struggle for Independence, this one would empower India for its journey toward prosperity. He urged people to buy Indian products.

The Chief Minister stated that the mela, which will run until October 7, served as a vibrant platform for festivities, local businesses, culture and art. He noted that the mela would also boost the morale of artisans nationwide. “When you purchase products from here, you not only encourage artisans, but also contribute to making India self-reliant,” he said.

Saini said that a nationwide ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ was being organised to turn the swadeshi pledge into a people’s movement. This campaign will continue till December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the artworks, products, music and performances displayed at the mela reflected a miniature India. On this occasion, he also released a coffee table book prepared by the Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department.