Art and crafts cut across borders and build bridges of understanding, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday after inaugurating the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana's Faridabad district.
Addressing the gathering, the president said, "Tanzania's participation as a partner nation in this mela highlights India's engagement with the African union".
Tanzania is the partner country while Gujarat is the theme state for this year's mela, which the president inaugurated in presence of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Union Minister Krishan Pal, who is also the MP from Faridabad, among others.
The fair, in which overall 50 countries and various states are taking part, will continue till February 18.
"I also extend a very warm welcome to participants from several other countries who are here to enrich this Mela. The presence of participants from Tanzania and other countries makes this mela truly international," she said.
President Murmu said, "Art and crafts cut across borders and build bridges of understanding. Art and craft persons are creative ambassadors of humanity".