New Delhi, Aug 30: Maintaining that there is a rich tradition of local toys in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for developing toy clusters in India to make the nation a toy hub.
Speaking during his monthly programme ”Mann ki Baat”, the Prime Minister said, ”Global toy industry is over Rs seven lakh crore but India’s share is very small; will have to work to increase it.”
He further said, ”During these times, I have been thinking about my young friends. I have been thinking about how can my young friends get more toys … India has the talent and the ability to become the toy hub of the world.”
There has been a rich tradition of local toys in the country, he maintained.
”There is a big trend of computer games today. These games are played by children and grown-ups as well. But even in these games, their themes are mostly extraneous,” he pointed out.
PM Modi stated that these days, the festival of Onam is also being celebrated with fervour.
He further stated that, ”The zest of Onam has reached foreign lands. Be it the US, Europe or Gulf countries, the joy of Onam can be felt everywhere. Onam is increasingly turning to be an international festival.”
He cautioned that this is a time for festivals but at the same time, there is also a sense of discipline among people due to the COVID-19 situation.
Batting for the farmer community, PM Modi further maintained that, ”Our lives and society are driven by the power of agriculture only. Our farmers have proved their mettle even during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Prime Minister said India is marking Nutrition Month and added that this will benefit young children.
Stresses on ‘vocal for local’,
Reminding that everyone acknowledges the capability of Indians to offer innovation and solutions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is the responsibility of the young entrepreneurs to develop computer games in and also about India.
PM Modi urged the start-ups to ”team up for toys” for games for India and of India.
He asked young entrepreneurs to develop computer games in and also about India, saying ”Let the games begin”.
PM Modi also praised various apps that were part of ”app innovation challenge”, calls it a good sign for an ”Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.
”Today, when we are trying to make the country self-reliant, we have to move with full confidence; and make the country self-reliant in every area. A seed that was sown in the form of the Non-cooperation movement, it is now the responsibility of all of us to transform it into banyan tree of self-reliant India,” he said.
He insisted that making efforts as today’s small start-ups will transform into big companies tomorrow and become mark of India in the world.
”And you should not forget that the big companies which exist in the world today, were also, once, start-ups,” he further said.
He stated that everyone acknowledges the capability of Indians to offer innovation and solutions, when there is dedication and sensitivity, this power becomes limitless.
He talked about the Atma Nirbhar Bharat App innovation challenge, which was put before the youth of the country at the beginning of this month.
Around seven thousand entries were received, of these too, nearly two thirds have been made by the youth of tier two and tier three cities and awards were given to around two dozen Apps in different categories.
He asked people to familiarise themselves with these Apps and connect with them and added that ”It is possible that you too get inspired to make something like that.”
He talked about various apps, including ”Kutuki Kids Learning App” for children in which they can easily learn many aspects of maths and science through songs and stories and also mentioned apps like micro blogging platform ”Koo”, ”Chingari” and ”Ask Sarkar”.
”There are many business apps and also gaming apps such as Is Equal To, Books & Expense, Zoho Workplace and FTC Talent. Search about them on the Net and you will find a lot of information about these apps. Step forward ? innovate some; implement some,” he added.
‘Youth’s participation in App developing indication for self-reliant India’
Expressing happiness over the participation of a large number of youth from tier two and tier three cities in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat App innovation challenge’ held earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it is an auspicious indication for self-reliant India.
Speaking in his monthly radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the PM said, ”At the beginning of this month, an app innovation challenge was put before the youth of the country. Our youth participated enthusiastically in this Aatma Nirbhar Bharat App innovation challenge. Around 7 thousand entries were received; of these too, nearly two thirds have been made by the youth of tier two and tier three cities. This is a very auspicious indication for self-reliant India, for future of the country.”
Expressing happiness on the results of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat App innovation challenge,the PM said, ”After a lot of scrutiny, awards have been given to around two dozen Apps in different categories. Among these there is an App ‘Kutuki Kids Learning app. This is an interactive app for children in which they can easily learn many aspects of maths and science through songs and stories. Similarly, there is also an app for micro blogging platform. Its name is ku KOO.. ku. In this we can place our opinion and interact in our mother tongue through text, video or audio”.
“Similarly, Chingari App too is getting popular among the youth. There is an app Ask Sarkar. In this you can interact through chat bot and can get right information about any government scheme – that too through all the three ways- text, audio and video. There is another app called, Step Set Go. This is a fitness app and it keeps a track of how much you walked, how many calories you burnt; it keeps track of the data and also motivates you to stay fit”, PM Modi added.
Calling upon the youth to come up with more such innovations, the PM said, ”Step forward ? innovate some; implement some. Your efforts as today’s small start-ups will transform into big companies tomorrow and become mark of India in the world. And you should not forget that the big companies which exist in the world today, were also, once, start-ups.”
