SRINAGAR: The Toycathon 2024 initiative successfully launched this year in Jammu and Kashmir by the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) of J&K has seen a huge participation from the students. Around 1.25 lakh students from government and private schools of the J&K Union terrority have participated in the Toycathon 2024 initiative.
Dr. Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of SCERT J&K, informed Rising Kashmir that the Toycathon 2023 initiative has achieved notable success in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 115 toy designs created by students from the Union Territory have been officially registered under Design Rights by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM). This initiative was implemented without imposing any financial burden on the students.
“From the Jammu Division, 51 toy designs have been registered under Design Rights by CGPDTM, while the Kashmir Division contributed 64 registered designs. Once the students’ toy designs are registered with CGPDTM, they are safeguarded against unauthorized reproduction,” Manhas stated.
He further noted that since the launch of Toycathon 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir, more than 125,000 students from 7,251 government and private schools across 20 districts have successfully participated in this initiative.
“The Toycathon 2024 initiative was officially launched by SCERT J&K on May 18, 2024, under the theme ‘Promotion of Innovative Ideas and Revival of Local Culture & Heritage.’ This initiative aims to make a significant contribution to the development of the toy industry and to emphasize the essential role of play in the comprehensive growth and development of children,” Manhas added.
The Director of SCERT mentioned that over 112,000 students from both government and private recognized schools across 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir have registered for the Toycathon 2024 initiative. Additionally, 4,000 schools in the Union Territory have completed the school-level competition. The district-level competitions for students are scheduled to take place this October 2024.
The Toycathon initiative encompasses a three-tier competition that begins at the school level, progresses to the district level, and culminates at the union territory level.
According to an official, Toycathon is organizing this event to encourage student participation across three categories: Category I for students in grades 6 to 8, Category II for those in grades 9 to 10, and Category III for students in grades 11 to 12.
Krishan Sudan, a student from the Poonch district, told Rising Kashmir about his creation of a pneumatic rocket launcher toy, which he developed while participating in competitions at the school, district, and Union Territory levels at the Toycathon 2023.
“My toy design has been officially registered under Design Rights by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM), with the assistance of JK SCERT. I did not incur any expenses, as all arrangements were managed by SCERT-JK,” he said.
Sudan explained that a water rocket is a model rocket that utilizes water as its reaction mass and is propelled by pressurized air. The rocket is constructed from a plastic bottle that is partially filled with water and sealed with a nozzle. Air is pumped into the bottle, which increases the internal pressure. Upon releasing the nozzle, the pressurized air forces the water out at high velocity, launching the rocket upward. “The operation of the water rocket is based on Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which asserts that ‘for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ When the pressurized air expels the water downward, it creates an upward thrust that elevates the rocket. The propulsion force is generated by the rapid expulsion of water, with the energy for this propulsion coming from the compressed air. The higher the air pressure and the greater the volume of water used (up to an optimal limit), the further the rocket can ascend,” he added.
Shabir Ahmad Dar, a student from the Budgam district, said that he has developed a toy called the toy motor duck as part of the Toycathon 2023 initiative. His toy design has been officially registered under Design Rights by the CGPDTM.
“I have created this toy specifically for children to help prevent mobile addiction. The duck toy is designed in the shape of a duck and is capable of navigating water. It features a small motor and a Bluetooth device, allowing young children to listen to rhymes and other essential vocabulary during their pre-primary education while engaging in play,” he said.
Irtiza Fatima, a student from Kishtwar district, stated that she has developed three distinct types of toys as part of the Toycathon 2023 initiative. The designs of all three toys have been registered with the CGPDTM, with support from the JKSCERT. One of the toys she created is the Table Napkin Toy, which is made using napkin sheets. Fatima explained that this toy can be utilized on tables, enhancing the visual appeal of classrooms and homes for students. Additionally, she mentioned that she crafted a woolen sweater by hand, which features a beautiful and attractive color combination. This toy is referred to as the Kid’s Garment Toy. Furthermore, she has designed another toy called the Flower Basket Toy, made from ordinary rice grass and thread. This toy can be used to collect flowers from gardens.
