PM's Mann ki Baat call syncs with Karnataka plans for India's 1st toy cluster

News Network
August 31, 2020

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Bengaluru, Aug 31: Spurred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'vocal for local' call in his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme on Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the country's first toy making cluster would be built at Koppal in the state's northwest region.

"In line with Modi's vision of 'vocal for local', Koppal will be India's first toy making cluster in a 400-acre special economic zone, with Rs 5,000-crore investment to create 40,000 jobs over the next 5 years," Yediyurappa said after the Prime Minister's address in his radio programme that is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.

Koppal is about 350km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

Asserting that India had the talent and ability to become the world's toy hub, Modi called upon startups to work towards harnessing the potential while being vocal about local toys.

Noting that India's share in the global toy industry was very small, the Prime Minister said it was not fair to have such a small share and all have to work towards improving it.

"The global toy industry is worth Rs 7 lakh crore. I have been thinking how can India become a toy production hub, as toys can be used to build minds. Even poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore spoke about the importance of toys," the PM recalled.

Modi, however, referred to the world famous Channapatna toys from the state's Ramanagara district, about 60km southwest of Bengaluru towards Mysuru, while pitching India to become the global toy hub.

"Toy clusters are coming up across the country with skilled artisans who have expertise in making good toys. Some parts of the country like Channapatna in Ramanagaram in Karnataka, Kondapalli in Krishna (Andhra Pradesh), Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, Dhubri in Assam, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are developing as toy clusters," Modi said in his 30-minute talk in Hindi.

Referring to his discussions with the Children University at Gandhinagar in Gujarat and the ministries of education, women and child development and micro, small and medium enterprises, the PM said he was thinking how to make new toys available to the children and how India could become a global hub for toy production.

"Toys not only augment activity, but also give flight to our aspirations. Toys, not only entertain, but also build the mind and foster intent too," asserted Modi.

Using ivory-wood, rosewood or sandalwood, Channapatna toys are made by traditional craft, which is protected as a geographical indication under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by the state government.

Toy-making at Channapatna dates back to the reign of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in the 18th century when he invited artisans from Persia to train the locals in making wooden toys.

State-run Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation provides assistance to the artisans with marketing efforts to promote and market the toys across the country and overseas.

aceKarnataka has a legacy of toy making. The state is focusing on building a strong toy manufacturing industry by providing the required ingredients," said State Industries Principal Secretary Gaurav Gupta here on August 25.

Addressing top toy executives in a virtual meeting, Gupta said the state was making efforts to build a world-classAclusterAfor all investors.

As part of the toy manufacturing push, the state government is inviting domestic and international toy makers to the proposed toy cluster at Koppal.

According to estimates, Karnataka is the third largestAtoysAmarket in the country, with a value of $159 million and accounts for 9 per cent of the national market.

Growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent, the state's toy market is projected to touch $310 million by 2023.

"Toy manufacturing in Karnataka is getting a renewed push after Modi's call that the Indian toy market had potential to bring about a transformative change in the industry by promoting 'Vocal for Local' under AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign," said Gupta on the occasion.

Karnataka offers world class machine tools infrastructure, favourable labour laws for toy manufacturers with subsidies to facilitate investments.

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News Network
January 16,2025

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Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is "out of danger" following a successful surgery at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after being attacked during a burglary at his residence last night.

The actor’s team released an official statement confirming his recovery and assured fans of his stable condition.

The shocking incident occurred late last night when an intruder broke into the actor’s home. Reports suggest that when Saif confronted the burglar, both were involved in a physical altercation, and the attacker stabbing the actor about six times.
Saif’s wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their children were reportedly unharmed during the incident.
“Saif Ali Khan has come out of surgery and is out of danger. He is currently in recovery, and the doctors are monitoring his progress. All family members are safe, and the police are investigating the incident," the team said.

Meanwhile, the police is at the actor's residence and is probing the attack.

Attack on Saif Ali Khan: What you need to know

Dr. Niraj Uttamani, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lilavati Hospital, revealed that Saif was brought to the hospital at 3 a.m. on Thursday. Providing details about his injuries, Dr. Uttamani said, “Saif Ali Khan suffered six stab wounds, two of which were deep, with one located near his spine. A foreign object was also identified near his spine.”

The hospital further confirmed that a team of specialists is overseeing the actor’s treatment, including Dr. Nitin Dange (Consultant Neurosurgeon), Dr. Leena Jain (Consultant Plastic Surgeon), Dr. Nisha Gandhi (Consultant Anaesthesiologist), Dr. Kavita Srinivas (Intensivist), and Dr. Manoj Deshmukh (Consultant Radiologist).

Dr. Uttamani said, “The extent of the damage will be understood once the surgery is completed.”

The incident has sparked outrage within the film fraternity and raised concerns about security. Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA) President Ashoke Pandit condemned the attack, emphasizing the lapse in security at Saif’s residential building.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “The attack on film star Saif Ali Khan in his own house is a matter of concern. IFTDA condemns this attack. The concern is about the security of the building, and the security agencies of the building, as to how an intruder reaches the 12th floor and enters the house, this is a matter of investigation, which the Mumbai Police is very competent and capable of looking into.”

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has initiated an investigation into the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam confirmed Saif’s injuries resulted from an altercation with the intruder, adding that authorities are actively working to gather more details about the incident.

Security footage and witness statements are being reviewed as part of the probe.

The actor recently appeared in the action thriller Devara Part 1, which released in September 2024 to critical acclaim.

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News Network
January 8,2025

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Mangaluru, Jan 8: The serene beaches near Kulai Jetty under the limits of Surathkal police station turned into a scene of tragedy on Wednesday, January 8, as a group of four close friends saw their day of joy morph into heartbreak. 

Three young men lost their lives in the unforgiving waves, while one narrowly escaped death, saved by the heroic efforts of local fishermen.

The victims have been identified as: 

M. S. Manjunath (31), son of Shivlingappa, hailing from Upparigenahalli, Chitradurga district.

Shivakumar (30) from Shivamogga district.

Satyavelu (30) from JP Nagar, Bengaluru.

The sole survivor, Parameshwara (30), from Hangarga, Bidar district, now carries the weight of a harrowing ordeal and the devastating loss of his three closest friends.

These young men, all students of AMC Engineering College in Bengaluru, had embarked on a trip meant to create memories of joy and camaraderie. Driving overnight from Bengaluru, they reached Mangaluru on Wednesday morning. After breakfast at a local eatery, the group decided to visit the picturesque Kulai Jetty, seeking solace and adventure in the sea.

But their joyful outing took a tragic turn. While playing in the water, the four were caught in strong currents. Despite the swift intervention of local fishermen, only Parameshwara could be rescued in time. The lifeless bodies of Manjunath, Shivakumar, and Satyavelu were later found on the right side of the jetty, their dreams and futures cruelly cut short.

The Surathkal police, alerted to the incident, promptly arrived at the scene and began their investigation. The bodies were transported to AJ Hospital for post-mortem examinations, leaving their families and friends to grapple with the enormity of their loss.

A case has been registered at Surathkal Police Station. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the sea, urging visitors to prioritize safety above all else.

What was meant to be a day of joy has left a void that can never be filled, as three grieving families now face the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones.

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News Network
January 9,2025

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that at least 74 children were killed in Israel’s relentless violence in the Gaza Strip during the first week of 2025, marking a grim start to the New Year for children in the besieged territory.

In a recent report released on Wednesday, UNICEF said that the fatalities occurred within just eight days, emphasizing that the lack of adequate shelter, compounded by winter weather, poses severe risks to the children in Gaza.

“For the children of Gaza, the New Year has brought more death & suffering with at least 74 children reportedly killed,” Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell said, calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the violence.

She expressed deep concern over the number of children who have either been killed or have lost loved ones during the tragic beginning of the year.

Numerous fatalities have occurred during mass casualty events, including nighttime assaults in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and al-Mawasi, which has been designated a "safe zone." The most recent attack claimed the lives of five children in al-Mawasi on Tuesday, according to UNICEF.

The situation is dire, with reports indicating that eight infants and newborns have died from hypothermia since December 26, highlighting the severe risk facing young children who are unable to regulate their body temperature amid the harsh conditions as Israel weaponizes cold against children in the Gaza strip.

“UNICEF has long warned that inadequate shelter, lack of access to nutrition and healthcare, the dire sanitary situation, and now the winter weather put the lives of all children in Gaza at risk. Newborns and children with medical conditions are especially vulnerable,” Russell emphasized.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels. The number of aid trucks entering the region remains grossly inadequate to meet the basic needs of families, while civil order has largely unraveled, leading to the looting of humanitarian supplies.

According to UN reports, over a million children are currently living in makeshift tents, with almost all of the 2.3 million population displaced several times over the last 15 months.

Moreover, the few operational hospitals are overwhelmed, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure has severely hampered access to essential services, including food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, previously the only functioning medical facility in northern Gaza with a pediatric unit, has ceased operations following a raid last month, exacerbating the already critical healthcare situation.

A recent report from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics noted a 6% decline in Gaza's population in 2024, indicating that Israeli forces are intentionally targeting specific demographic groups, such as children and youth, resulting in a significant “distortion of the population.”

Since the onset of the genocide, Israel has killed 45,936 Palestinians, including over 17,600 children, as reported by the Health Ministry in Gaza, indicating a tragic loss of one child approximately every hour.

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