A Rare Combination of Shrewd Politics and Great Vision

Disclaimer: The article is only about the rapid developments happened only at that time. I am not vouching for Telugu Desam Party and I am not supporting every decision taken by this person.

No one other than Kamal Hassan can personify the traits of any character offered to him. An unemployed youth in the movie Akali Rajyam, released in 1980, stands out as one of his finest performances. A degree holder knocking the doors of companies, facing rejections in the interviews due to his inability to get recommendations and waiting for a day when he could have a meal at least once a day. These heart wrenching scenes were not part of the cinematic liberty that many directors consider as their authority, but the true reflection of the prevailing conditions at that time.  

Let us forward the situation by 35 years. Many graduates in the Telugu states are finding it easy to jump from one job to the other, companies are always scouting for talented people, obesity due to over eating has become a norm and many individuals are finding it difficult to manage their time between shopping, partying and travel, one crore rupees for a flat in an apartment is not shocking anymore and visiting other countries has become a routine for many. What factors made such contradicting situations possible? The answer is Desperation and Vision.

The desperate situation kindled by the downfall of the Indian economy has relied on the intelligence of Manmohan Singh for a resolution. Obsolete policies were bid farewell to welcome new, path breaking and well thought policies. An economy built on the basis of Russian financial policies has opened the market for foreign investments. This historical move in 1990-1991 has not only saved the country but also helped congress in dodging the abasement. 

During my childhood, weather forecasts in Doordharshan channel were limited to only four cities which were considered top in terms of population and economy. Those were Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. But two other cities swooped into the list by taking advantage of the 1990-1991 economic reforms, those were Hyderabad and Bangalore. Hyderabad was able to make it to the list by climbing the steps of vision, tenacity and planning laid by N. Chandrababu Naidu, the then chief minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. He made himself surrounded by highly talented officers who helped him keep updated on the technological happenings around the world. His corporate working style and discipline made a group of people feel strange and another group inconvenient. 

He made not just the country, but the world look at Hyderabad by persuading Microsoft establish its development center in Hyderabad, which was its first in any country outside the USA. Many raised eyebrows when Hyderabad found a place in Bill Clinton’s itinerary when he visited India. He encouraged many IT companies to set up their shop in Hyderabad by providing benefits in terms of loans and tax exemptions. His 360 degree view of looking at the requirements has increased the number of engineering colleges to provide employees for the companies and jobs for the youth. Aspects,  which usually fall in the cracks, such as best in class airport and hotels for the delegates and transportation from other towns to Hyderabad were all taken care of.

Whatever that is being considered as a jewel in the crown named Hyderabad was established or planned by this man. To name a few,

How visionary one must be to think about the Metro rail project in 2002. It is reprehensible for not constructing and relying on Gandhi Hospital (constructed during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure) during Covid.

Yes, his focus was more on developing the IT sector, but one cannot ignore the benefits being enjoyed by sectors such as food, travel, real estate, education, sports, insurance, banking and finance, health and fitness and entertainment by catering to the corporate segment.

No politician till now has matched his vision and determination in developing the state at such a rapid pace. Many families in the Telugu states should thank him for making them financially strong and raising their standard of living!