New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the first India Toy Fair 2021 and asked Indian manufactures to make such toys that are better both for ecology and psychology.
Addressing at the virtual event, the Prime Minister interacted with toy makers from Channapatna in Karnataka, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
He urged the manufactures on the need to use less plastic materials in making toys and use more raw material so that these can be recycled.
“Today I would like to appeal to the Indian toy manufacturers to make toys that are better for both ecology and psychology. Can we make an effort to make minimal use of plastic in toys and use such material that can be recycled?,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi said that our toys reflect reuse and recycling that has been a part of the Indian lifestyle. “Most Indian toys are built out of natural and eco-friendly material and the colours used in them are natural and safe,” he added.
The Prime Minister also that the first Toy Fair in the country is not just a business or economic event. This program is a link to strengthen the country’s age-old culture of sports and cheer.
He added this fair is one such platform where one can discuss toy design, innovation, technology, marketing & packaging and also share their experiences.
“India toy culture is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization. The world has done research on the toys from the era of the Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan era,” PM Modi said.
He also noted that, “Toys play a significant part in the development of a child’s mind and also help improve psychomotor and cognitive skills in the children.” In addition, the Prime Minister said the new national education policy incorporates play-based and activity-based education on a large scale.
PM Modi further informed that the government of India has also prepared a National Toy Action Plan by involving 15 ministries with a view to make the domestic toy industry competitive.
“This initiative will make the toy sector AtmaNirbhar (self-reliant) and increase the presence of domestic toys in the global market,” he said.
During the event, the Prime Minister also informed that India’s share in the USD 100 billion global toy market is very less and about 85 per cent of the toys sold in the country are imported, adding that, “We need to promote hand-made in India.”
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani were also participated in the event. The Toy Fair will be held from February 27 to March 2 and more than 1,000 exhibitors participated in the fair.
-RJV
