Namasthe World to invest Rs 36.24-cr in AP handloom, toy manufacturing
The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government at the 31st CII Partnership Summit here on Thursday.
The proposed facilities will integrate handloom, apparel and toy manufacturing, with handloom fabric being converted into garments and surplus material used for making dolls and soft toys, promoting sustainable production and reducing waste.
Namasthe World Founder and CEO Bhuma Mounika Manchu said the initiative aimed at promoting traditional craftsmanship, empowering artisans and creating sustainable manufacturing opportunities while taking Andhra Pradesh’s handlooms, textiles and toys to global markets.
The company’s Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Manchu Manoj said efforts were being made to introduce artificial intelligence and robotics into the traditional Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toy-making sectors in collaboration with leading technology companies.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal appreciated the company’s efforts to promote Indian culture and traditional toys through storytelling, stating that indigenous toys and cultural narratives had the potential to represent India’s identity in international markets.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said initiatives providing artisans with structured platforms and wider market access would help preserve traditional craftsmanship and generate economic opportunities.
Andhra Pradesh Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharat welcomed the investment proposal, stating that it would strengthen sustainable manufacturing, local industries and employment generation in the state.
Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board CEO Sagili Shan Mohan and Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles Rekha Rani also emphasised the need to connect traditional skills with contemporary markets, design innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices.
The latest agreement follows an MoU signed between Namasthe World and the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board on October 26 in Tirupati to promote the state’s tourism and cultural heritage through storytelling, short films and QR-linked experiences based on Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toys, the company said in a release on Friday.
The company has developed more than 55 original plush toy designs and sold over 43,000 BIS-certified toys. It also has a retail partnership with Reliance Brands.
At the summit, the company presented its toy collection to Piyush Goyal, who also launched its calendar.
