The toys were crafted from natural wood, painted with vegetable dyes, which ensures both child safety and environmental consciousness
Gift-giving is an age-old tradition, but the approach is evolving. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just highlighted the importance of eco friendly gifts. During his ongoing US visit, Modi gifted Vice President JD Vance’s children gifts crafted from natural wood, painted with eco-friendly vegetable dyes, which ensures both child safety and environmental consciousness. He also gifted an eco-friendly wooden alphabet set, designed to be durable, safe, and engaging.
What started as a trend has now become a necessity, says Gayatri Singh, Founder, Art Incept. “At Art Incept, our emerging artists are deeply engaged with environmental concerns, often turning to natural materials and repurposing found objects to create meaningful, sustainable art. Their practice reflects a growing global consciousness that values tradition, ecology, and innovation — much like the eco-friendly gifts exchanged on diplomatic stages, where culture and sustainability come together as a statement of intent for the future,” adds Gayatri.
Sustainable gifting is here to stay, feels Harshvardhan Lahoti, founder Artcafe. “I think switching to eco-friendly gifts or products reflect thoughtfulness and leaves a positive impression.”
These products are not only sustainable but also tend to be more durable and of better quality. When it comes to eco-friendly toys, traditional handicrafts should also be encouraged, such as Kondapalli toys, Channapatna toys, bamboo toys, and more. Promoting these handcrafted toys supports local artisans,” says Harshvardhan. His company offers a range of sustainable products, including cork-based ceramic mugs, tote bags, rice husk mugs, recyclable diaries and books, and plantable pens and pencils, among others.
“After PM’s call to focus on Indian toys, the demand for the traditional toys has increased all over the world. says Shubhi Agrawal, who, along with her father Bihari Lal Agrawal, is taking the legacy of their forefathers forward and manufacturing wooden toys for 60 years. Working with 100 artisan families, they say, “I think that the primary benefit of traditional Indian games is that they cut across generations and backgrounds, education, language, and culture.”
Dokra artwork to Emmanuel Macron, French First Lady
Modi also presented Dokra artwork — musicians with studded stonework — to French President Emmanuel Macron. “Dokra art has a raw, rustic beauty that feels alive. What I love most is that no two pieces are exactly the same. They carry stories, history, and a sense of warmth that mass-produced items just don’t have. Even with its old-world charm, Dokra fits beautifully into modern spaces, blending tradition with simplicity. It’s not just art; it’s a reminder of heritage, craftsmanship, and the beauty of things made by hand,” says artist Ram Dongre.
Indian shoppers increasingly prefer green products
According to the Indian Retailers Association, 68 percent of urban shoppers now value green items, up from 42 percent only two years earlier. During this green transition, top corporate gifting groups have discreetly but continuously contributed to sustainability, striving for a better future. As of August 2024, 65 percent of customers in Tier I cities favour eco-friendly items, while 55 percent in Tier II cities and 45 percent in Tier III cities do the same.
When it comes to eco-friendly toys, traditional handicrafts should also be encouraged, such as Kondapalli toys, Channapatna toys, bamboo toys, and more.
— Harshvardhan Lahoti, founder Artcafe
