Atmanirbhar toy industry: Modi hails fall in imports to cite self-reliance

Exports up 31% from $417.32 million in 2018-19 to $545.97 million in 2021-22

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech on Monday cited India’s toy industry when he called for reducing imports and promoting an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

His comments come at a time when the country’s toy imports are down 39 per cent from $645.63 million in 2018-19 to $392.92 million in 2021-22. Exports increased 31 per cent from $417.32 million in 2018-19 to $545.97 million in 2021-22. “Even five to seven-year-old children say that they do not want to play with foreign-made toys. I salute them. This shows the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat within them,” Modi said.

A majority of