In a spirited address at the Australia Telugu Diaspora event in Sydney, Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh called on Telugu professionals across Australia to join hands in transforming Andhra Pradesh from a $180 billion economy into a $240 trillion global force. His words were filled with purpose and pride in the state’s future.
Lokesh highlighted that Andhra Pradesh’s growth depends on collective effort, not individual achievement. “For me, Google is as important as the MSME sector,” he said, underlining the government’s balanced approach toward both global tech giants and local entrepreneurs. He assured that anyone investing ₹50 crore and generating jobs would receive full government support. Lokesh also expressed gratitude to the Australian government for creating the platform that enabled this global dialogue.
He spoke about collaboration in technical education, sports, and mining, emphasizing that progress must come from teamwork and shared vision. With a touch of humour, Lokesh said, “States may compete, but when they do, India wins.”
A Moment of Strength and Emotion
In one of the most touching moments of the event, Lokesh shared a personal memory involving his wife, Brahmini. Recalling the difficult days when his father, N. Chandrababu Naidu, was arrested, Lokesh said, “Brahmini asked me, ‘We lived with dignity all our lives, do we really need to be in politics?’ I looked at the people’s love and their faith in us, and I told her, This is exactly why we must stay. Politics is not a burden when it’s for the people.”
The crowd responded with thunderous applause, deeply moved by his honesty and conviction. Lokesh credited the support of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for Andhra Pradesh’s rapid progress. He revealed that ₹10 lakh crore in investments had already flowed into the state in just 16 months, with Visakhapatnam evolving into a hub for pharma, steel, and now data industries.
Ending on an empowering note, Lokesh urged Telugu NRIs to act as brand ambassadors for Andhra Pradesh. “Be proud of your roots,” he said. “Talk about Andhra wherever you go. Together, we can make it the number one state in India.”
