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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a call for promoting ‘Handmade in India’, especially for items such as toys, with a thrust on ‘Make in India’ initiative as a response to the growing global demand for handicrafts.
“Today, people don’t just view a toy as a product. They want to be part of the experience linked with the manufacture of the toy....That is why we need to promote ‘Handmade in India’ as well,” Modi said, speaking at the inauguration of the virtual ‘India Toy Fair’ 2021 on Saturday.
The toy fair is the first-ever digitally accessible platform where one can not only browse and buy toys made in the country but also participate in events, activities and network with various stakeholders of the toy industry. More than 1,000 exhibitors are participating in the fair.
Pointing out that the Indian toy industry was one of the most eco-friendly in the world, the Prime Minister said manufacturers should make toys that are good both for ecology and psychology. “Can we try to use as less plastic in our toys as possible and materials that are recyclable?” he said.
In the area of toys, India has tradition as well as technology, and concepts as well as competence, the Prime Minister said, adding that these could be combined to promote Indian toys worldwide.
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani also participated in the event. The toy fair will be held from February 27 to March 2. India has two toy clusters, one in Karnataka and another in Andhra Pradesh, and is reported to have plans to set up eight more.
Modi, who interacted with toy manufacturers in different States, advised the organisers of clusters to reward innovation in the field.
He said the country has now graded the toy industry in 24 major sectors and a National Toy Action Plan has also been prepared including 15 ministries and departments to make these industries competitive, the country to become self-reliant in toys, and India’s toys to also go into the world.
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