Addressing his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need for making India a toy hub at the global sector.

He said that the global toy industry is worth over Rs 7 lakh crore and India's share is very small.

"India has the talent and the ability to become a toy hub," Modi said.

"The toy industry is very diverse and some of the regions in India are being developed as toy clusters to make the nation a toy hub," he said.

"Channapatna in Karnataka's Ramanagara, Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh' Krishna, Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, Dhubri in Assam, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are among the places in India which are being developed in the toy sector," the PM informed.

Mentioning that there has been a tradition of local toys in India, Modi said there are several expert toy craftsmen in India.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi said, he was thinking about his young friends and how they can get more toys.

"The best toys are those that bring out creativity," he said.

"Let us team up for toys. This industry is quite diverse. We should focus on this industry," Modi urged.

"Small industries, MSMEs as well as big industries also come in its range. The entire country will have to work hard together to take the toy industry forward," PM Modi added.

Seeking support of those trying to begin start-ups and new businesses, the Prime Minister said this is the time to be "vocal for local toys".

"Team up for toys. Let us make toys together... Let us begin the game for children," the Prime Minister further added.