Toycathon 2021
Source : PIB
Facts for Prelims/Mains

What is discussed under “Toycathon 2021” ?

1. Facts about Toycathon 2021
2. What is Toycathon 2021 ?
3. What are the features of Toycathon 2021 ?
4. Importance of Toycathon 2021 
5. Indian Toy market and its potential.

Why in News ?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with participants of Toycathon 2021 via video conferencing.

Key Facts

• Toys as the first friend of the children also emphasized the economic aspects of toys and gaming called it ‘Toyconomy’.
• Cheap data and growth of Internet led rural connectivity and called for exploration of possibilities in virtual, digital and online gaming in India.
• Most of the online and digital games available in the market are not based on Indian concepts.
• Many such games promote violence and cause mental stress.
• India has ample content and competence for digital gaming.
• Many incidents, stories of our freedom fighters and their valour and leadership can be created into gaming concepts.
• There is a need to create interesting and interactive games that ‘engage, entertain and educate.

What is Toycathon 2021 ?

• It is an Initiative by
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • Ministry of Textile
  • Ministry of Commerce and Industries
  • Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• It aims to promote India as a global toy manufacturing hub.
• To conceptualize innovative toys based on the Indian value system which will inculcate the positive behaviour and good value among the children.
• Under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• What kind of toys ?
  • Indian culture and ethos, local folklore and heroes, and Indian value systems.
  • Design should confine to basic toy guidelines issued by Govt. of India.
• What are the features of Toycathon 2021 ?
  • Prizes : Unique opportunity for Students, Teachers, Start-ups and Toy experts/professionals in India to submit their innovative toys/games concepts and win large number of prizes worth Rs. 50 lakhs.
    • Winning Teams efforts will be made to commercialize the exceptional toy concepts will support from Industry and investors.
  • Students, teachers, start-ups and toy making experts are the major participants of the events.
  • The whole events is majorly based on Indian style of toys like Folk heroes, Indian culture, ethos, freedom movements, Indian civilization, heritage, mythology, history, ethos, technology, ethnicity, national heroes and important events
  • Toycathon is based on nine themes namely :
    • Indian culture- History
    • Knowledge of India and ethos
    • Learning, education and schooling
    • Social and human values
    • Occupations and specific fields
    • Environment
    • Divyang – Fitness and sport
    • Out-of-the-box creative and logical thinking
    • Rediscovering traditional Indian toys
  • Supporting missions like Swatch Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Environment Conservation, Climate Change, Digital India, Skill India, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
  • Environment Friendly :  Using eco friendly, indigenous, non-hazardous or recycled material.
  • Teaching and Informative : Toys for pedagogy (for teaching students’difficult concepts in Math, Science, Languages, Social Sciences, etc.)

Importance Ned for Toycathon 2021 ?

• Global toy market is about 100 billion dollars and India have only 1.5 per cent of this market.
• India imports almost 80 per cent of its toys.

  

• This means that crores of rupees are being drained out of the country.
• This needs to change and this sector has the capacity to bring progress and growth to the neediest segments of society.
• Toy industry has its own small-scale industry, artisans comprising of rural population, dalits, poor people and tribal population.
• In order to take the benefits to these segments we need be vocal for local toys.
• New models of innovation and financing to make Indian toys competitive at the global level.
• There is a need for new ideas to be incubated, new start-ups promoted, taking new technology to traditional toy makers and creating new market demand.
• World wants to learn about India’s capabilities, art and culture. and society in that way toys can play a big role.
• This is the inspiration behind events like Toyacathon.

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