Unleash Your Creativity: Join the e-Toycathon for Electronic Toy Innovation!

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in a groundbreaking collaboration with C-DAC, the Indian Toy Industries, and the iconic LEGO Group, recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of engineering graduates from the innovative ‘Development of Electronics and IT-based Control and Automation Solutions for Consumer Electronic Goods (Toy Industry)’ program. This initiative is not just a stepping stone but a giant leap towards propelling India’s dynamic electronic toy industry by arming engineers with cutting-edge skills and igniting a culture of innovation.

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Empowering Underrepresented Voices

This remarkable program shines a spotlight on inclusivity, targeting engineers from SC/ST communities as well as the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India. Over an intensive year-long journey, participants delved into rigorous training, spending the first six months at C-DAC-Noida’s state-of-the-art toy labs where they designed and developed electronic toys, followed by six months in the industry crafting prototypes that resonate with market trends. To ensure their focus, each trainee received a monthly stipend of ₹25,000.

LEGO Collaboration: A Window to the World

In a bid to infuse international expertise and best practices, the LEGO Group stepped in as a knowledge partner. From October 2023 to March 2024, Sam Coates, Head of Innovation (Interactive) at LEGO’s Creative Play Lab, hosted a series of engaging webinars. These sessions covered everything from toy development standards to experimental design methodologies, providing invaluable insights and feedback on student prototypes—breathing global perspectives into the creativity of young engineers.

Unveiling New Opportunities Through Innovation

During the convocation ceremony, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan made a significant announcement: the launch of the Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon). This exciting initiative is envisioned as a vibrant platform to spark innovation in electronic toy design, encouraging creative solutions and fostering industry collaboration.

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Moreover, Sanjay Mehndiratta, Managing Director of Toys Zone, presented appointment letters to 10 talented graduates, highlighting the industry’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals.

In his address, Krishnan remarked, “India’s electronic toy market is on the fast track to growth, and the integration of electronics and IT is vital for cultivating this ecosystem. This program lays the groundwork for empowering the next generation of engineers. We are eager to expand this initiative, potentially establishing a Center of Excellence dedicated to electronic toys in collaboration with STPI, MSH, and other key institutions. Together, we will stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation in the industry.”

Celebrated Guests at the Ceremony

The convocation, held at the heart of MeitY headquarters, attracted notable personalities from various sectors:

• Government Leaders: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, Additional Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar, and Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator for R&D in Electronics and IT.
• Industry Experts: Vivek Khaneja, Executive Director of C-DAC Noida; Manu Gupta, Chairman of the Toys Association of India; Vipin Nijhawan, Managing Director of S.R. & Sons; and Sanjay Mehndiratta, Managing Director of Toys Zone.
• Global Contributor: Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager for the LEGO Group in India.

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Forging a Thriving Toy Ecosystem

This convocation not only celebrated the achievements of the first cohort of engineers but also set the stage for an exhilarating future in India’s electronic toy industry. By blending innovation, inclusivity, and global expertise, this initiative empowers the next generation to create world-class toys.

With sustained collaboration between government bodies, industry stakeholders, and global giants like LEGO, India is on the verge of becoming a hub for revolutionary toy design, catalyzing economic growth and fostering entrepreneurship. As this initiative unfolds, it paves the way for stakeholders to bolster India’s stature in the global toy market while championing sustainable development in the sector.

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