Toy Story: You are never too Old to be Young

Which is your favourite toy? Are you a “Mechano” kind or love the “Remote controlled cars”, or your favourites are “Stuffed Toys”?

“Stuffed Toys” provide so much comfort to a child, a “hand” or a “paw” she can reach out to in the middle of the night to transport her to dreamland again. To quote Peter Gray, “In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small, quiet companion”.

Today's story will bring a smile onto your lips. This is a story by Mrs. Shobha Dhir, who a couple of decades ago set out to put a smile onto the lips of every child. Mrs. Shobha Dhir has spent the last 40 years in Dayalbagh, loves children and has been a part of and led many activities to make them happier.

Revered Prof. Satsangi blessing the exhibition

So, sit back, relax, put your specs on, and as “Happy, the Dwarf”, intended to sing in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (the Song that did not quite make it into the movie 😢), “You are never too old to be young”. Read on and enjoy the photographs.

Best,
Anurag
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Mrs. Dhir writes...

I am a person who does not have big degrees but have always felt immense Grace, with my simple human efforts always getting crowned.

Revered Dr. Lal Sahab's car waiting outside the Toy Exhibition Centre

Revered Dr. M B Lal Sahab was pleased to have a unit formed of a group of Ladies by the name of “Vidyut Nagar Handicraft Mahila S.S.W.S” in which I was the Secretary for 24 years.

My children, as all children, were very fond of toys. But the sticker shock at the Toy Shops always made me think, how common people would afford these for their children. So, we thought it will be a good idea if we can make high quality toys at affordable rates that will enable ALL children to buy these.

Toys waiting for Children to arrive

We made our first sample of a “Teddy Bear” and a “Doggie” in 1992 and showed it to Revered Dr. Lal Sahab for His approval. We were asked to make as many as possible at the earliest, so I, my elder sister-in-law (Mrs. Shashi Munjal) and a team of girls with a group of ladies managed to create the first production batch. The Toys were made with left-over pieces of fur and cloth from Ludhiana to keep the costs low. The team worked day and night and in no time, we had the first batch of 60-70 pieces ready for selling for the first time.

The Eager Beavers at the Exhibition Complex Entry

Thereafter came the visit of the President of India to Dayalbagh, Shri. R. Venkatraman with his wife. An exhibition was organized where Dayalbagh goods were displayed. In the exhibition there was one stall of “Soft Fur Toys”. Both the President and his wife were all praise for both the Quality and Affordability of the Toys, with the costliest toy selling at Rs. 10. This was just unbelievable for someone coming from the world outside of Dayalbagh. They compared the prices with what they had bought for their Grandchildren.

Why are we on the Roof?

The first sale of these “Soft Fur Toys” was held in 1992 with the Sabha members and the manufacturing team the beneficiaries. After this the variety of toys being produced increased steadily and included various animals like Teddies, varieties of Doggies, Elephants, Squirrels, Ponies, Giraffes, Lions, Monkeys, Rabbits, Tortoises and other toys like Balls, Toy bags, Toy pillows, Clowns etc. ranging from a selling price of Rs. 1 to Rs. 15. Each time we had enough to sell, we held exhibitions where only Children were allowed into the compound with a maximum of Rs. 15 in hand. The child could choose a toy of his/ her choice. Each child had the opportunity to show his/ her choice of Toy to Revered Dr. Lal Sahab and was given Prasad.

Can we come in now?

We had other dignitaries including the Governor of UP, Mr. Bhandari visit, examine and appreciate the quality and affordability.

Which One? Which One?

After holding multiple exhibitions with an increasing variety of soft toys, there was a gap of a few years. We restarted with inspiration from Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi, with 16-17 different types of toys including beautiful dolls. My daughter in law, Dr. Bani Dayal Dhir also joined the unit and was a great help and support, conceptualising and making a beautiful variety of dolls, which became a favourite of children, especially girls. We were permitted to organize an exhibition for children in the unit premises and after short intervals at various venues within Dayalbagh. Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi graced the exhibitions, where Children studying in Nursery and Primary School of Dayalbagh could select a Toy of their choice.

The Squirrel that got away

The Toys saw a spike of price to a range of Rs. 1 to Rs. 25 and now have been brought down within the range of Rs. 1 to Rs. 20.

The Manufacturers

To further scale the program, we started training DEI Girls and the Teachers of Recreation Centre, with the Girl students coming in large numbers and getting trained in manufacture of some type of toy. This was further taught to Ladies and Girls in rural areas helping them start micro units and increase their family earnings.

Can you hear their chatter?

This is how through immense Grace every child could enjoy having a soft toy to play with and we got a chance to serve humanity’s young.

I would like to thank my family members, my husband Prem Prasad Dhir and Arsh & Bani and Binti & Dheeraj for their unstinting support and cooperation.