Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and its five regional centres
TATA Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekharan, Bharat Forge Chairman and Managing Director Baba Kalyani, and a host of dignitaries, who include a few corporate CEOs, were present.
The RTIH, set up on a hub-and-spoke model, is aimed at driving a culture of innovation and supporting innovative start-ups and MSMEs as per the A.P. Innovation and Start-up Policy 2024-2029.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Naidu said he had planned the RTIH with the underlying objective of achieving the goal of nurturing one entrepreneur out of every family in the State by extending the required hand-holding to them with the support of corporate and knowledge partners.
The RTIH and its regional centres would be funded and managed by the private sector. The government would provide a part of the seed capital and grants through the A.P. Innovation Society (APIS), he said.
'Worthy of emulation'
Mr. Chandrasekharan said he was happy to support the start-ups through the RTIH, and pointed out that India was in need of solutions (to problems) that were globally superior in the present circumstances.
He expressed confidence that the RTIH would make Andhra Pradesh a leader in fostering innovations, while observing that the model brought to the fore by Mr. Naidu was commendable as it was not physically confined to a particular place, rather it was connected to the different regions. This was in itself an innovation worth emulating, Mr. Chandrasekharan said.
Ministers Nara Lokesh (IT, Electronics & Communications), T.G. Bharat (Industries & Commerce) and Nadendla Manohar (Civil Supplies), Secretaries Katamneni Bhaskar (IT, E&C) and N. Yuvaraj (Industries), Kia India Pvt. Ltd. Chief Administrative Officer Kab Dong Lee, Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd. Chairman and former MP Jayadev Galla, and Greenko Group MD & CEO Anil Chalamalasetty were among those present.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Tirupati Spoke Centre of Ratan Tata Innovation Hub inaugurated virtually
Tirupati: The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub's (RTIH) Tirupati spoke centre was inaugurated virtually on Wednesday by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, along with four other spoke centres established in Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, and Anantapur. The central hub has been set up in Amaravati. At the International Institute of Digital Technologies (IIDT) near Tirupati Airport, the Tirupati facility was formally launched on-site by District Collector Dr S Venkateswar and Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudhir Reddy, who unveiled the plaque. Joint Collector Shubham Bansal, Trainee Collector Sandeep Raghuvamshi, SV University Vice Chancellor Prof Ch Appa Rao, and other officials were present. Addressing the gathering, MLA Sudhir Reddy said RTIH would provide a remarkable opportunity for young entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders. 'In just the last 24 hours, 1.6 lakh youth have registered to launch companies, setting a new world record for Andhra Pradesh,' he said. Referring to the state government's developmental roadmap, he added that while many had once mocked 'Vision 2020,' its success had proved the foresight of the Chief Minister, who has now presented 'Vision 2047.' District Collector Dr Venkateswar explained that each spoke centre would have a lead partner. For Tirupati, Adani has been chosen as the lead partner, along with Navayuga and Amara Raja, while IIT Tirupati will serve as knowledge partner. 'This hub represents the synergy of government, corporate, and academia. Innovation is possible only when all stakeholders work together,' he said. He added that Tirupati combines a strong academic ecosystem with an industrial base that contributes 45 percent to the district GDP. The spoke centres, he said, will serve as platforms for skill development, job creation, and new ventures. He urged entrepreneurs from Chittoor, Annamayya, and Kadapa districts to utilise the facility. The programme was attended by Srikalahasti RDO Bhanu Prakash, local public representatives, industry leaders, and government officials.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
War of words erupts between present and former TTD chiefs
Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), custodian of the world-renowned Lord Venkateswara temple, has once again turned into a political battlefield. The current TTD chairman BR Naidu and his predecessor Bhumana Karunakar Reddy are locked in a war of words, each accusing the other of corruption and mismanagement of temple affairs. Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Chairman Naidu defended his nine-month tenure, asserting that transparency has guided every decision of the board. 'Not a single rupee of devotees' money has been misused. We are here to serve Lord Venkateswara, not to exploit his devotees,' he declared. Naidu claimed that all resolutions were taken only after due deliberation and insisted that irregularities were the legacy of previous administrations. Launching a direct attack on his predecessor, Naidu alleged that Karunakar Reddy's family benefitted personally from temple resources, citing inflated ticket sales and other irregularities. He challenged Reddy to an open debate, warning that 'those who looted the institution will soon face the law.' BR Naidu also criticised YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Bhumana for their remarks which he said hurt Hindu sentiments. He further blamed the YSRCP government for financial decisions in 2022 that left TTD paying Rs.140 crore annually in interest. Responding from Tirupati, former chairman Karunakar Reddy accused Naidu of dragging the sacred institution into 'political mudslinging.' Pointing to the Vaikuntha Ekadasi tragedy, in which six devotees lost their lives and over 60 were injured, Reddy alleged that Naidu refused to apologise despite appeals from Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan. 'Instead of accountability, he is showing arrogance,' he charged. The YSRCP leader also alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Sri Venkateswara temple in Delhi during Naidu's leadership, questioned liquor sales in TTD residential colonies, and raised doubts about Naidu's rapid rise in wealth. 'How did a man who once worked in BHEL and ran a garment shop suddenly become a multi-crore businessman and media owner?' he asked, hinting at possible forex violations and ticket rackets. Calling Naidu's 'rowdy-like' remarks, Reddy said no chairman had ever tarnished the sanctity of the deity in such a manner. He demanded a CBI probe into Naidu's allegations against him and former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, declaring, 'If guilty, I am ready for punishment.' With the two leaders trading bitter accusations, devotees worry that political battles are overshadowing the trust's primary duty—serving pilgrims and safeguarding the sanctity of one of the world's most revered temples.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
AP cabinet meeting begins, to address key development proposals
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has begun at 11 am today. A primary agenda item is the potential approval of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) proposals, aiming to enhance development within the CRDA area. The Cabinet is expected to sanction infrastructure projects and development initiatives in the villages surrounding the state capital, with a proposed budget of Rs 904 crore. Additionally, discussions are anticipated regarding the re-division of districts, the renaming of several districts, and the establishment of new districts. There may also be decisions made concerning land allocations for various organisations within the capital city of Amaravati. Following the Cabinet meeting, CM Naidu will hold a special discussion with ministers focusing on current political developments. Key topics will include parole issues, the conduct of ministers and MLAs, and other significant matters. The concerns of government employees, along with those raised during the Joint Staff Council meeting held yesterday, will also be on the agenda.
