Bhuma Mounika Manchu, Founder and CEO, and Manchu Manoj, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Namasthe World, at the MoU signing with the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam.
Namasthe World signs MoU with Andhra to set up manufacturing centres
Proposed facilities in Kurnool and Visakhapatnam will focus on sustainable apparel, handlooms, toy manufacturing and create 1,050 jobs
Hyderabad-based storytelling and toy startup Namasthe World has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 36.24 crore with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish sustainable apparel, handloom and toy manufacturing centres in Kurnool and Visakhapatnam. The proposed facilities are expected to generate around 1,050 employment opportunities, including 950 direct and 100 indirect jobs.
The agreement was signed at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant step towards integrating traditional craftsmanship with sustainable manufacturing and contemporary market opportunities.
Founded by Bhuma Mounika Manchu, along with actor and entrepreneur Manchu Manoj, Namasthe World plans to develop an integrated manufacturing ecosystem in which handloom fabric will be converted into garments, while surplus materials will be used to manufacture dolls and soft toys. The initiative aims to minimise material waste while creating additional income opportunities for artisans and local communities.
What CEO Manchu said
Speaking on the initiative, Bhuma Mounika Manchu, Founder and CEO of Namasthe World, said the company aims to transform India's cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship into contemporary businesses with global appeal.
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"Having grown up in a political family, I have seen how governance, public institutions and community engagement play a critical role in translating vision into action. This partnership is a significant step towards empowering artisans, creating sustainable manufacturing opportunities and taking Andhra Pradesh's handlooms, textiles and toys to the world," she said.
She also highlighted the company's growing business partnerships, including its retail association with Reliance Brands and its new collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government.
Manchu Manoj, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Namasthe World, said creative industries could play a larger role in generating economic opportunities beyond entertainment and storytelling.
Through the venture, the company hopes to combine creativity, technology and entertainment to strengthen traditional industries, create livelihoods and promote the Made in Andhra Pradesh identity in international markets.
He also revealed that the company was reaching out to leading technology firms to explore the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in traditional Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toy manufacturing.
55 original plush toy designs
At the summit, Namasthe World showcased its toy collection to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who unveiled the company's calendar.
Appreciating the company's approach, Goyal said Namasthe World was taking something deeply Indian and presenting it in a format that could connect with global audiences. He noted that traditional Indian toys and cultural narratives had significant potential to represent the country's identity in international markets.
The latest MoU builds on an earlier three-year agreement signed between Namasthe World and the APEDB on October 26, in Tirupati. That agreement focuses on promoting Andhra Pradesh's tourism and cultural heritage through characters, short films and QR-code-linked experiences centred on traditional Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toys.
Since its inception, Namasthe World has developed more than 55 original plush toy designs and sold over 43,000 BIS-certified toys. The company has established a presence across India and has also attracted interest from the Indian diaspora overseas.