Ramesh Pokhariyal, Smriti Irani launch 'Toycathon 2021' to promote manufacturing of indigenous toys

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Ramesh Pokhariyal, Smriti Irani launch ‘Toycathon 2021’ to promote manufacturing of indigenous toys

Speaking at the launch of 'Toycathon 2021', Education Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal said that 80 per cent of toys in India are imported and asserted that the country has the capability to manufacture them.

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January 5, 2021 21:29 IST
Ramesh Pokhariyal, Smriti Irani launch ‘Toycathon 2021’ to promote manufacturing of indigenous toys
Ramesh Pokhariyal, Smriti Irani launch ‘Toycathon 2021’ to promote manufacturing of indigenous toys

New Delhi: Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani on Tuesday jointly launched the Toycathon 2021.

Toycathon, a virtual toy hackathon, is aimed to conceptualize innovative toys based on the Indian value system which will inculcate the positive behaviour and good value among children.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Toycathon 2021’, Pokhariyal said that 80 per cent of toys in India are imported and asserted that the country has the capability to manufacture them.


“The ToyCathon2021 is being organised to create awareness among school students about the rich cultural heritage of our country. The toys market is Rs 7 lakh crores in the world. In our country, 80 per cent of toys are imported. I hope this would prove a milestone in the foundation of self-reliant India,” he said.

Irani said that students and faculty members who would participate in the event can get reward up to Rs 50 lakhs.

“For the first time in the history of our country we shall see the participation of schools students along with students from higher educational institutions with regards to needs of the MSME industry in our country,” she said.

“Never before has the fascination of the country ever been captured till such time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi pronounced to the entire country the need to ensure that we support local industry with regards to toy manufacturing,” she added.


Stating that it is a USD 100 billion international toy market in which India finds a space of our indigenous market to the value of USD 1.5 billion, the Union Minister said: “We are growing at a rate of 15 per cent per year but this growth should bear positive fruits and results for our industry. 80 per cent of toys are imported in India. Students and faculty members who would participate in the event can get reward up to Rs 50 lakhs. If we get some good idea, then commercial support would also be given by ministries of the government.”

Abhay Jere, Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Education, who was also present at the launch said that another aspect of the Toycathon is to conceptualise which will promote positive behaviour based on Indian value systems.

Toycathon grand finale from Feb 23-25

The Toycathon will majorly focus on conceptualizing new and innovative toys using local material which are economical, affordable, safe and environment friendly.

The grand finale of the event will be organized from 23rd to 25th of February.

There will be two categories for the Toycathon, one is for online toys and another for physical toys.

Toycathon is an inter-Ministerial initiative of six Ministries wherein nine themes will be promoted under three tracks for junior level participants, senior level participants and start-ups & professional level.

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