The Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat focuses on the mantra of ‘vocal for local’ for the Toys Industry. Talks on environment conservation citing examples of rituals among tribals of
West Champaran district of Bihar, besides Indian dog breeds and celebrating September as Nutrition month are some of the highlights.

It is time for everyone to get ‘vocal for local’ toys

FESTIVITY: This period is full of festivals. People are getting along with their day-to-day tasks, while taking care of themselves and others as well. Even Ganeshotsav is being celebrated
online at certain places; at most places ecofriendly Ganesh idols have been installed.

ENVIRONMENT: Tharu tribal community in West Champaran in Bihar have been observing a sixtyhour lockdown for centuries as ‘Saath Ghante Ke Barna’. They believe that if they step out or
someone enters from elsewhere, any movement along with other routine activities can lead to the destruction of new plants and trees.

REMEMBERING FREEDOM FIGHTERS: It is imperative for students to remain familiar with heroes of our freedom struggle. When our students are apprised of the history of the freedom
struggle viz-a-viz their local surroundings, only then we will see the reverberations of it on personality of students.

AGRICULTURE: Sowing of Kharif crops has increased by 7 per cent compared to the last year and paddy has increased by approximately 10 per cent, pulses close to 5 per cent, coarse cereals
almost 3 per cent, oilseeds around 13 per cent and cotton nearly 3 per cent. I extend felicitations to farmers and I salute their perseverance.

ONAM: Onam is being celebrated with fervour which is linked to agriculture. It is also the time of a new beginning for our rural economy.

TOY INDUSTRY: Team up for toys… Let us make toys together. For everybody it is the time to get ‘vocal for local’ toys. Come! Let’s make good quality toys for our youth. Toys should be
such that in their presence childhood blooms and smiles. Let us make toys favourable to environment too.

NUTRITION: The month of September will be observed as Nutrition Month in the entire nation. In this movement pertaining to nutrition, people’s participation is also very crucial. During the past few years in our country, a lot of effort has been made in this direction. Especially in villages, it is being converted into a mass movement with public participation.

INDIAN DOG BREEDS: Sophie and Vida are dogs of Indian Army who have been awarded the Chief of Army Staff ‘Commendation Cards’. Among the Indian breeds, Mudhol Hound and Himachali Hound are of excellent pedigree. The next time you think of raising a pet dog, consider bringing home one of Indian breeds.

INDIAN APPS: Our youth participated enthusiastically in this Aatmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge. Around 7 thousand entries were received, out of that nearly two-thirds have
been made by the youth of tier two and tier three cities. This is a very good indication for selfreliant India,

SELF–RELIANT INDIA: 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