Guwahati, Oct 5: North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) under the DoNER ministry, and the department of heritage and tourism of the Haryana government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cross-cultural exchange and promotion of handicrafts, textiles and cuisines of Haryana and Northeast India.
According to the MoU, heritage and tourism department of Haryana will allow NEHHDC to participate as the theme state in the annual ‘Surajkund Mela’ for the next five years.
A separate zone with 60 stalls within the Surajkund Mela will be provided to NEHHDC for setting up stalls to showcase their offerings, particularly with respect to arts, crafts, handlooms and handicrafts and cuisine free of cost.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chanchal Kumar, secretary, DoNER ministry; M.D. Sinha, principal secretary, Haryana government, and senior officials of the DoNER ministry and Haryana government.
On its part, NEHHDC will coordinate and liaise with relevant departments, event organisers and agencies on behalf of the heritage and tourism department of Haryana to provide it multiple platforms for participation in major festivals in the Northeast, such as the Hornbill Festival, Nagaland; Mon Festival, Nagaland; Sangai Festival, Manipur; Cherry Blossom Festival, Meghalaya and Ziro Music Festival, Arunachal Pradesh.
“This MoU will be a game-changer for development of tourism and empower the artisans from both the north east region and Haryana to showcase their rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of their artistry among the people while also opening up new economic markets for their products,” a official statement said.