By JOHN SAKALA
Government of India has fully sponsored 15 Zambians to participate in a 17 day tourism cultural event dubbed the ‘Surajkund International Crafts Mela.’
The event would be held in Faridabad in the Indian State of Haryana from February 1, 2019 to February 17, 2019.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga thanked India for promoting people to people contact.
“The 15 Zambians will include a government official from the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, cultural dance troupe, artisans and crafts persons showcasing Zambian crafts.
“Participating in the event is important as more than 1, 000, 000 visitors throng the Mela during the fortnight including thousands of foreign tourists.
“Zambia will benchmark from India through the Mela which is a custodian of the heritage crafts involving use of traditional skills that are fading away due to cheap machine made imitations, and a special section is earmarked for showcasing of the heritage crafts,” she said.
Ms Kapijimpanga thanked the High Commission of India in Lusaka for being instrumental in ensuring that Zambia actively participates in trade and tourism activities in India.
This was contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in New Delhi, India, Bangwe Naviley.
