PM wants Indian toy industry to play important role in children’s development – Global Toy Industry is worth 7 lakh crore rupees
02 September 2020: In the recent address of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while Global Toy Industry is worth more than 7 lakh crore rupees, India currently has a very little share in it. In this regard, he deliberated with the Children University of Gandhinagar, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises on how to make new toys available to the children and how India could become a big hub of toy production. As reported earlier, India’s toy market to be worth around Rs 10,000 Cr: IMARC estimates. (By the way, India Toy Show (CBME/TAITMA/IT’S) is scheduled to be held 3rd to 5th December, 2020 in Mumbai.)
Prime Minister said there are several skilled artisans who possess expertise in making good toys and some parts of the country like Channapatna in Ramnagaram in Karnataka, Kondaplli in Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, Thanjavur in Tami Nadu, Dhubari in Assam, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are also developing as Toy clusters.
He noted that in the National Education Policy, a lot of attention has been given on the impact of toys on different aspects of children’s lives. He that toys not only augment activity, they also give flight to our aspirations. Toys, not only entertain, they also build the mind and foster an intent too.
It is interesting that few days ago, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally took interest in ‘toys’ industry, by convened a meeting with senior Ministers and officials to discuss ways to boost manufacturing and global imprint of Indian toys. He said the focus should be on use of technology and innovation and towards manufacturing quality products that meet global standards.
Meanwhile, Global market research firm, IMARC estimates India’s toy market to be worth around Rs.10,000 crore. Of this, the organised toy industry is estimated to be Rs 3,500-4,500 crore, and homegrown toys constitute just 12-13 per cent of this. The Indian toys market was worth US$ 1.75 Billion in 2019. Indian toys market expected to show a strong growth during 2020-2025.
As such the All India Toy Manufacturers’ Association (TAITMA), the apex body of the toy industry, is of the view that the toy industry in India has tremendous potential to raise its productivity, create employment and for all around development of the economy. The industry also presents vast potential for export of toys, dolls, games and playthings.
And, who ignore the role of Printing inks, Non-toxic paints, coatings in toys manufacturing. These are an essential component for printing on toys else it will not entice the tiny tots. Toys must be colourful and appealing, but the ink must also offer outstanding resistance to chemicals and mechanical strain. As far as printing application is concerned, screen printing and pad printing machines are being widely used as the case may be.
Germany based Marabu offers inks for pad printing on toys, free of heavy metals in line with DIN EN 71, part 3, and they meet manufacturer specifications and legal requirements. Marabu’s two-component inks suitable for a wide range of substrates and are tested for toys, baby products and medical accessories. Marabu also offers Water-based inkjet inks for toys which fulfills the EN71/3 standard.
There are Rules, regulations and Norms to ensure the safety of toys. Compliance with the stipulated chemical safety requirements stated in the regulation is also regulated by the EN 71 norm series (Toy Safety). For Spraying, coating, coloring and printing toys and their components, EN 71-3:2013 is the primary applicable regulation.
Useful links: www.marabu-inks.com / www.inksfortoys.com / www.taitma.org / www.cbmeindia.com / www.imarcgroup.com
