Etikoppaka toymaker’s effort is Modi’s Mann Ki Baat

Rahul slams broadcast, says PM is talking of toys when students are worried about exams

In his Mann ki Baat radio address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India could become a big hub of toy production and that “it is the time to get vocal for local toys”. Hailing efforts by wooden toymaker C.V. Raju from Visakhapatnam, and the Etikoppakaa” toys from his village that were once very popular, Modi noted while “the global toy industry is of more than seven lakh crore rupees, India’s share is very little in this”.

The Prime Minister said it was time for start-ups to be “vocal for local toys” and urged them to develop computer games in and based on India, citing the nation’s rich heritage and traditions that can drive innovations in the toy and gaming industry.

“Our country has so many ideas, so many concepts; our history has been very rich. Can we make games based on that? I call upon the young talent of the country — make games in India and make games based on India too. It is said… let the game begin! So, let us start the game,” he said.

He touched on a number of issues in the broadcast, and lauded people for showing restraint while celebrating festivals during the pandemic.

Mr Modi also urged people to raise dogs of Indian breeds at their homes if they wanted to keep a pet dog.

Modi touched on a number of issues in the radio broadcast as he lauded people for maintaining unprecedented restraint and simplicity in celebrating festivals during the Covid-19 pandemic and praised farmers for an increase in the sowing area for crops.

Underscoring a deep connection between Indian festivals and environment, he noted that eco-friendly Ganesha idols were installed at most places recently.

Ganeshotsav was also celebrated at certain places, he said, praising people’s discipline.

Lauding farmers,

Modi said they have proven their mettle during the pandemic.

He said the area for the sowing of kharif crops increased by seven per cent compared to last year, paddy by nearly 10 per cent, pulses close to five per cent, oilseeds around 13 per cent and cotton by about three per cent.

He said September will be observed as ‘Nutrition Month’ and added that the need for having a good nutrition is being converted into a “mass movement”, especially in villages.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on said that the students wanted the Prime Minister to address the issue of NEET and JEE exams in his monthly radio programme, but he spoke on toys.

His remark came after Modi address said that the country has the talent and ability to become a hub for the toy industry and called upon startups and entrepreneurs to “team up for toys”.

Using the hashtag “Mann_Ki_Nahi_Students _Ki_Baat”, Gandhi tweeted, “JEE-NEET aspirants wanted the PM to do ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ but the PM did ‘Khilone Pe Charcha”.” Gandhi and his Congress party have supported a demand by a section to postpone the NEET and JEE examinations, which are starting from September 1, in view of the pandemic.