The State government’s push towards transforming Andhra Pradesh into a ‘Knowledge Economy’ received a fillip in the form of a knowledge summit, ‘Jnanabheri’, a one-day workshop on global competitiveness, conducted for the first time in the State in Sri Venkateswara University’s (SVU) Tarakarama Stadium here on Saturday.
Addressing more than 15,000 students hailing from various universities and their affiliated colleges across Chittoor district, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged the youngsters to correlate their education with innovation so as to provide services the world over from Andhra Pradesh.
“We want to transform the State into a bastion of knowledge, with innovation and Information Technology as the backbone, to serve the global community. It is heartening to so many youngsters under one roof, and we are sure that the programme would create history,” he added.
Demographic advantage
Mr. Naidu further said the country had the unique advantage of having a younger demographic. He urged the youngsters to not only secure employment but also create jobs. With respect to the conduct of ‘Jnanabheri’, Mr. Naidu opined that development of education would act as a catalyst for economic growth (and also of the State). It also aims to equip the youngsters with critical thinking, skills, and attitude to fare well in the future, he added.
‘Student phase the best’
Recollecting his student days at SVU and his subsequent foray into the Assembly nearly 40 years ago, Mr. Naidu turned a bit nostalgic, and asserted that the student phase was one of the most memorable in a person’s life.
“The future would thrive on knowledge and innovation. Youngsters should scale up accordingly, and put the State on the world map,” he said.
Highlighting the transformation of the unified Andhra Pradesh, especially Hyderabad, into an IT hub, Mr. Naidu outlined the inherent advantages for the youngsters, and urged them to take up their innovations into the incubation centres and beyond.
Dig at Centre
Taking a dig at the Central government for its failure to keep its bifurcation promises, Mr. Naidu asserted that it had been a difficult proposition to run a new State with an enormous deficit budget.
“Four years ago, the leader of a national political party, at the foothills of Tirumala, assured to fulfil the promises, including Special Category Status (SCS), essential for the development of the State. Even after repeated visits and requests, he was unwilling to keep his word, forcing us to walk out of the coalition. We are not worried about affiliations, for development of people and State are paramount,” Mr. Naidu said, and reiterated that the fight for the State’s rights would continue. Earlier, Mr. Naidu interacted with the volleyball players and gave the nod for the conduct of the final match at the venue.
He also unveiled the plaques for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Knowledge Park to be established at SVU and facilities at Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) such as two hostel blocks, Rural Women Technology Park, Humanities Block II, and Nethra Command Control Centre.
