Make toys that are better for both ecology and psychology: PM
02 March 2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick started the India Toy Fair 2021 on 27th February 2021, through video conference. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of Textiles Smt Smriti Irani also participated in the event. The Toy Fair was held from 27th February to 2nd March 2021. More than 1,000 exhibitors are participating in the fair. The Fair has received an overwhelming response with over 21 lakh registrations.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister called for bringing out the hidden potential of the toy industry in India and to create an identity for it as a big part of the campaign for AatmaNibhar Bharat. The Prime Minister recalled that in ancient times, when travelers from the world came to India, they used to learn sports in India and used to take it along with them. He appealed to the country’s toy manufacturers to make toys that are better for both ecology and psychology! He asked them to use less plastic in toys, to use such things that can be recycled.
The Prime Minister said the country has now graded the toy industry in 24 major sectors. The National Toy Action Plan has also been prepared. It has included 15 ministries and departments to make these industries competitive.
He said along with this efforts are made to strengthen the possibilities of toy tourism. Toyathon-2021 was also organized to promote Indian sports based toys and more than 7,000 ideas were brainstormed.
Speaking at the CEO Session of the India Toy Fair, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Railways and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal said that the Government would extend full support to Indian Toy industry. He said that the Government will work to change the present situation of 85% imports and 15% indigenous production of toys and turn it around 360 degrees. The Minister announced that wherever Toy cluster are being set-up, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will establish laboratories for testing the quality of products. However, Goyal urged the industry to focus on improving quality of their products, of component suppliers and meet quality standards. He said India as a manufacturer of products will have to provide quality products. “We had the Quality Council of India run a sample test on a variety of Indian & imported toys.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Textiles and WCD Smt. Smriti Irani emphasized on the role of toys as a learning tool. She said that the National Education Policy gives new impetus not only to learning with toys but also to procurement of toys in learning facilities especially those aided by Govt of India. She said that India itself is a big Toy market and the Indian Toy industry has a bright future.
