Catapult, 'lattu' teach children about gravity, kinetic energy, says PM Modi at India Toy Fair

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged toy manufacturers to make toys that would help children learn about science.

The prime minister gave various examples of how toys, for instance, a puzzle can help children think about finding possible solutions. He also said that catapult and 'lattu' (top) teach children about gravity and kinetic energy.

Speaking at the India Top Fair 2021, he asked the toy manufacturers to use less plastic and more eco-friendly material, in addition, to focus on innovation. "I would like to appeal to the toy manufacturers of the country to build such toys that are better both for ecology and psychology. Can we make an effort to make minimal use of plastic in toys and use such material that can be recycled?" he asked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We have to become Aatmanirbhar in the toy sector and also cater to the global market".

He regretted that India's share in the $100 billion global toy market is very less, and about 85 per cent of the toys sold in the country are imported. "We need to promote hand-made in India," he said.

The Prime Minister also interacted with traditional toymakers from Chennapatnam, Varanasi and Jaipur and exhorted them to innovate and make traditional toys more relevant keeping in view the changing taste of children.

The Prime Minister said the government has prepared a National Toy Action Plan by involving 15 ministries with a view to make the domestic toy industry competitive.

The initiative, he added, is aimed at making India Aatmanirbhar in the toy sector and also increasing the presence of domestic toys in the global market.

The Indian toy industry has tradition, technology, concepts and competence, Modi said, stressing that "we can give to the world eco-friendly toys".

(With inputs from PTI)