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

This Toycathon is aimed to conceptualize innovative toys based on the Indian value system which will inculcate the positive behaviour and good value among the children.

While briefing the media in New Delhi today, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, this will prove to be a milestone in the direction of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

He said, toys can play an instrumental role in promoting the knowledge, culture and science of the country.

Appreciating the initiative, Textiles and Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that this is the first time when school children will innovate, design and conceptualize toys.

She said, India imports 80 per cent of toys and the government is working towards promoting the indigenous toy industry for making the country self reliant in this sector.

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.