Has ChatGPT evolved beyond being a 'Google replacement'? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says it is already doing much more
While ChatGPT's popularity surges globally, experts agree it won't replace Google. Instead, it complements search by helping users explore ideas and synthesize information. As AI tools become more integrated and assistive, ChatGPT is shaping a future where it doesn't just answer questions—it helps users think, create, and complete tasks more efficiently across work and life.
ChatGPT has moved far beyond being just a Google rival. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, it now functions like a junior assistant—handling tasks, remembering preferences, and automating workflows. (Image: iStock)
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The Google Comparison Still Lingers
A Future of Complementary Tools
If you've ever found yourself asking ChatGPT for vacation ideas, SEO strategies, or even emotional advice, you're not alone. More than 400 million users now rely on ChatGPT every week, making it the fifth most visited website globally, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman . But while it's become a near-constant presence in digital life, the real question is: has ChatGPT evolved beyond its early reputation as a Google alternative?Altman certainly thinks so. In recent remarks at Y Combinator, the OpenAI chief clarified that while ChatGPT may have started as a more conversational search engine, its trajectory has shifted dramatically. 'For a long time, ChatGPT was like a Google replacement… it still felt like a more advanced version of search,' Altman said. 'But now, it's like a very junior employee that can work on something for a short period of time.'According to a report by Search Engine Journal, Altman emphasized that ChatGPT's goal is no longer limited to retrieving information. It's about doing things—completing tasks, automating workflows, and even proactively assisting users. Features like memory, reasoning, and integration with business tools are pushing ChatGPT toward becoming a true assistant.'Memory is the first time where people can sort of see that coming,' Altman said, referring to ChatGPT's new ability to remember preferences and previous conversations. This shift supports OpenAI's broader vision of AI not just as a knowledge engine, but as a platform that connects to user data and performs tasks independently.New model releases like GPT-4o and O3 are tailored for deeper reasoning and complex workflows. 'The technology is moving faster than most businesses can adapt to it,' Altman noted, suggesting that the current capabilities are ahead of widespread use cases.Despite its advanced features, ChatGPT hasn't completely escaped comparisons with Google—and with good reason. According to TechRadar, many users now type questions into ChatGPT that they previously might've asked Google. But the two platforms serve fundamentally different roles.Rohan Sarin, a former product lead at both Google and Microsoft, argues that ChatGPT and Google 'solve fundamentally different information problems.' If you know what you want—like a specific website or actor's name—Google still reigns. It provides direct links and a wealth of unfiltered data. ChatGPT, on the other hand, shines when you're unsure of your needs and want help exploring ideas or synthesizing concepts.Put simply, Google connects you to the internet. ChatGPT helps you make sense of it.Sarin adds that users often prefer convenience over precision. 'Most users don't particularly care about source verification or getting the exact right answer—they just want something that works,' he said. ChatGPT, free of ads and clutter, wins big on convenience.Still, Google isn't going anywhere. SEO experts like Eric M. Hoover of Jellyfish believe Google's massive infrastructure, default integrations with browsers, and AI investments (such as Gemini and AI Overviews) ensure its continued dominance in search.Rather than replacing Google, ChatGPT appears to be redefining the expectations we have from AI. It's no longer just about retrieving facts; it's about applying them. As Altman puts it, users can now assign tasks to ChatGPT—whether it's writing proposals, coding snippets, or analyzing data—and return to see a draft or solution, just like they would with a junior team member.In this new landscape, the smartest users won't choose between Google and ChatGPT. They'll use both, strategically—turning to Google when they need direct answers and to ChatGPT when they need a guide, a partner, or a second brain.Because in the evolving AI ecosystem, the real revolution isn't in replacing search. It's in augmenting human capability.
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Economic Times
29 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Does your kid want to be the next Kohli, Ronaldo? Financial planning for kid's sports career needs a different strategy than for education, here's a guide
iStock Financially planning for your child's sports career is vastly different from planning for other needs of your child, be it higher education or more. Hence, this should not be approached in a conventional way. Traditional Indian wisdom and lore have never quite celebrated the virtues of sport as a career, allowing it to languish in the shadow of academic pursuits. The new India, however, is starting to wonder why. Even as a young brigade of sporting icons—Neeraj Chopra (athletics), Manu Bhaker (shooting), Lakshya Sen (badminton), D. Gukesh (chess)—is making a place for itself in the societal psyche, the stodgy Indian parent has found other reasons to warm up to this career option for kids. For one, parents' improved earning and saving ability means that they can provide a financial cushion to the child wanting to explore it as a career path without relying on it as a source of livelihood. Even if the child is unable to scale sporting stardom, they can fund his education to gain lateral entry into a vast array of aligned career options, be it sports management, science and analytics, psychology or coaching, which can also be prestigious and financially rewarding. Financial wherewithal also means they can secure the best facilities and training to ensure the child can compete with the top players in the world. Ajit Menon did just that by sending his son to Madrid, Spain, for football training in 2022. 'Once I realised his seriousness and passion for what he wanted to do, I wanted to pull out all stops to make it possible for him,' says Menon, who is the CEO of PGIM India Mutual Fund. His son, Aymaan, joined the Aquinas American School in Madrid when he was just 15 years old because it had a school program run by one of the top professional football clubs, Getafe CF. A big pull for parents is also the improved financial earnings in terms of prize money and corporate sponsorships for sports other than cricket. Add to it the government nudge, such as the Khelo India initiative, which offers improved infrastructure, training and opportunities, and there is a better chance for kids to compete at the global scale and turn it into a financially viable profession. AYMAANMENON, 18 yrsMumbai/Madrid (Spain) Parents: Ajit & Alinaa, both 54 yrs CAREER GOALReturn to India and play in Indian Super League (football). CAREER TIMELINE 2014Started playing at 8 years. 2014-21 Local football leagues. 2021 Attended 10-day Advanced Real Madrid football camp in Spain. 2022 Joined school in Madrid tied up with Getafe CF (football academy). 2025 Started undergrad at Universidad Europea + professional football club. EXPENSE TIMELINE 2022-2024Rs.30 lakh a year (schooling + Getafe club in Madrid). 2025 onwards Rs.30-35 lakh a year (graduation + football clubs in Madrid). FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015 Rs.75 lakh Revised estimate in 2025 Rs.1.25 crore Current corpus: 75% of the goal funded. Invested in: Currently mutual funds. Despite this optimistic scenario and emergence of the new sporting ecosystem, there are several financial challenges and risks that plague this career option. 'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk with no guaranteed returns. Performance risk is significant; despite talent, few reach elite levels. Injuries can abruptly end careers, and the financial burden of coaching, travel and gear is steep and front-loaded,' says Naveen Gogia, Founder & Managing Director, Creed Capital. Ignorance about training expenses, lack of financial preparedness, and need for a back-up plan are among the primary hurdles that parents of sporting aspirants typically deal with. In the cover story this week, we shall try to explain how to overcome these and other shortcomings that are endemic to this career option. Financial challenges When a child wants to pursue a sports career, the immediate concern for parents is financing the journey so that he can avail of the best training. While the initial costs at the recreational level of play are low and manageable, the sudden jump in expenses when he transitions to professional training comes as a Kolkata-based tennis aspirant, Krishnav Jhunjhunwala, 15, first picked up a tennis racket at 6-7 years, the cost was barely Rs.5,000-6,000 a month, including his coaching fee and gear expenses. After initiating professional training at 10-11 years, the expenses shot up nearly 10 times to Rs.50,000-60,000 a month. 'The coaching fee itself has gone up from Rs.3,000 to Rs.15,000, while the beginner rackets that cost Rs.4,000-6,000 have been upgraded and are much more expensive,' says Ashish, Krishnav's father. Krishnav, meanwhile, is making progress; he has won the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) tournament in Sonepat and reached the semi-finals in of the sport, most kids start playing at around 6-7 years, at which point the costs are nominal at Rs.5,000-6,000 a month because it only comprises club or academy fee (Rs.2,000-5,000 a month) and basic equipment or clothes. Within 3-4 years, the child's talent or dedication are clearly visible, and if the parents introduce professional coaching, the prices surge, as do the cost heads. Professional stage Besides professional coaching fee, parents need to shell out on physical (gym training) and mental fitness (psychologist), advanced equipment and gear, diet and nutrition, as well as match fees for tournaments, which require frequent travel by the kid and parent.'At professional level for, say, badminton, it can cost anywhere between Rs.9-15 lakh per annum because a domestic tournament will cost Rs.50,000-60,000 a week and even as a beginner you will play 5-6 tournaments a year,' says Supriya Devgun, Founder of Badminton Gurukul, an academy co-founded with badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, that aims to bring affordable training to young aspirants.'Before reaching the elite bracket, players typically incur substantial travel and accommodation expenses throughout the year to participate in international level chess tournaments which are necessary to gain ratings,' says Sandeep Singhal, Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital, and Cofounder, WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, the brainchild of chess whiz Viswanathan Anand and Viswan, mom to 18-year-old Omkar Vinod—Kerala's No.1 squash player and currently ranked 18 in India—has tried to bring down the travel costs to Rs.15,000-20,000 per tournament. 'We either try to stay with relatives or he travels alone to cut down the expenses,' says the Bengaluru-based startup owner, who took upon herself the task of navigating his sporting career after her husband's demise in Warrier, meanwhile, has estimated a cost of Rs.25 lakh a year from this year onwards as his 16-year-old son, Jaitirth, the South Zone No.1 golf player, readies to shift gears. 'He is playing the junior national circuit and is aiming to turn pro in four years' time. Last year, he played 10 tournaments and this number is going to double now,' says the Bengaluru-based father who was an NRI for 14 years and returned to India only in 2024. JAITIRTHWARRIER, 16 yrs Bengaluru Parents: Ranjit & Aparna, 53 & 50 yrs CAREER GOALBecome a professional golfer. CAREER TIMELINE 2015Started playing at 6 years in Lagos, Nigeria. Jan 2024 Started competitive golf. 2024 Ranked No. 1 in South Zone 2025 Playing junior national circuit. Aims to turn pro in four years. EXPENSE TIMELINE Current expenseRs.13 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness, mental coaching) 2025 onwards (estimated) Rs.25 lakh a year FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.4-5 crore Current corpus Rs.6 crore (for education & golf for 3-5 years) Invested in: Real estate, stocks, mutual funds, fixed deposits, insurance plans, gold. How much does training cost at different stages? Figures are indicative and may vary as per sport and talent. In elite stage, costs are cut if the child gets reward money, sponsors or endorsements. If child is also studying as a back-up plan, it may require an additional Rs.10-20 lakh at 17-18 professional coaching fee can range from Rs.10,000-30,000 a month, depending on the child's talent and the academy or coach's experience, equipment cost varies according to the sport. 'Golf or shooting would be 3-4 times more expensive because the equipment and training costs are higher, with a single golf class costing around Rs.2,000,' says Devgun. For 3-4 times a week, it could add up to Rs.30,000 a month only in coaching fee for professional coaching in cricket can also be Rs.2,000-3,000 an hour and the total cost could go up to Rs.40,000-50,000 a month. 'Cricket, like golf, is a rich man's sport now and needs money if one is serious about turning professional,' says Farhad Daruwala, Founder of Rising Star Cricket Academy in Mumbai, that trains under-privileged kids.'Critically, inflation of sports equipment tends to be much higher than general inflation and imported items are more expensive. This means a 10% general inflation could translate to 15-20% for sports gear,' says Atul Shinghal, Founder & CEO, Scripbox. So a tennis racket can easily come for Rs.20,000 today, while the cost of shooting equipment or golf clubs can run into lakhs. 'Swimming costumes at competitive level can cost Rs.35,000-40,000 and can be worn only 8-9 times,' says Jhunjhunwala, whose daughter had earlier reached national school level championships in while money is needed at this stage, there are few or virtually no sponsors till the time the kid reaches the elite stage and gains recognition or wins tournaments. 'Nobody wants to invest in a non-achiever; only known talents fit the bill. While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it is actually needed by the upcoming talent. If costs are to be brought down, the answer is to integrate sports with education,' suggests government does provide funds to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various initiatives and schemes, and some non-banking financial corporations like Avanse Financial Services offer loans as well, but bank loans are not easy to come by. 'The parents of India's Saina Nehwal, former world number one badminton player, famously took loans for her early badminton career, as individual sports are largely self-funded by parents until elite success,' agrees Shinghal. Elite stage As the child progresses and begins to win tournaments and get ranked at the domestic or international level, the costs surge even further. 'At the elite level, training remains the most significant area of investment, including personalised coaching, access to top-tier trainers, game preparation support, and advanced analytical tools. Travel is another major expense given the international nature of toplevel chess tournaments,' says WestBridge's international tournaments easily costing Rs.2-3 lakh per tour, including air fare and accommodation, the overall cost of training can jump to Rs.20-30 lakh a year. This involves advanced, personalised and intensified coaching, more rigorous physical and mental fitness and physio, and a rise in the number of tournaments to participate good news is that at this stage, some income and financial support start to come in in the form of prize money from wins, sponsorships, CSR funds (corporate social responsibility funds), scholarships, or even public sector jobs. This brings down the costs and eases the financial burden. This is the reason Viswan is planning to start looking for a sponsor from next year as Vinod's all-India ranking has shot up from 235 in 2023 to 18 now, and the reason Jhunjhunwala is looking for colleges that offer scholarships for tennis training for Krishnav. Time for a back-up plan Despite Devgun's assertion that a back-up plan takes away from the focus of reaching top levels, most parents prefer to reach for the safety net of education while allowing their kids to pursue sports. 'Without early financial planning and a strong Plan B, the journey can become financially and emotionally draining,' says Sumit Duseja, Co-founder and CEO, Truemind Capital and Sebi-registered investment adviser: 'There is a very low chance to be a successful sportsperson in India. Hence, a Plan B should always be in place as a fall-back option that supports the child in case success is not achieved as desired.''One needs to have a back-up plan because there is no guarantee in sports. I have given Vinod a time limit of five years to prove himself. He, too, isn't yet sure whether he wants to be a professional squash player or go in an allied field like sports science,' says Viswan. 'Krishnav is excelling in studies, scoring 97.8% in his ICSE class 10 exams last year. As long as he says his studies will not be affected, I'll do everything he wants to do in tennis. Besides, what will he do after 10 years given the short career span? If he doesn't reach the top level, he will opt for engineering in data science or AI,' says Jhunjhunwala. KRISHNAV JHUNJHUNWALA,15 yrs,Kolkata Parents: Ashish & Nidhi, 48 & 46 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional tennis player/engineering. CAREER TIMELINE 2016-17Started playing at 6-7 years. 2020 Professional training and coaching. 2024 Won AITA tournament in Sonepat. Reached AITA semifinals in Kolkata. 2025 West Bengal U-16 ranked No. 5, U-18 ranked No. 7. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000-60,000 a year Current expense Rs.3-4 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, travel, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.15-20 lakh Current corpus Rs.20-25 lakh Invested in: Kisan Vikas Patra, with varying maturities for liquidity; stocks and mutual funds. NAVEEN GOGIAFOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, CREED CAPITAL Note:'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk, with no guaranteed returns. The financial burden is also steep and front-loaded.' Education vs sports:Why financial strategy differs It's also the reason Menon is spending Rs.30-35 lakh a year, combining Aymaan's football training with his graduation in sports science from one of the top European universities in Spain, Universidad Europea. Warrier too has kept `6 crore corpus for Jaitirth for the next 3-5 years, either for education or golf. He also insists on a four-year degree course, and possibly post-graduation as well. 'If he doesn't reach the required heights, he can get into sports psychology or sports management. The four years will also give him the time to prove himself in golf,' he says.'From 18-21, the child either turns pro or pursues college sports abroad, and international education may require Rs.25-50 lakh. By 22-30, the focus shifts to career transition. Successful athletes need long-term planning and passive income strategies; others may use a pre-built Plan B fund to pivot to alternate careers,' says Gogia. Financial planning Financial planning for a sports career is different from that for education goals for various reasons (see Education vs sports). For one, large sums of money can be required at an early age and staggered across a longer period. The higher risk, uncertainty and shorter career spans also call for a unique multi-pronged approach.'Higher education can be a preplanned activity, with the knowledge of approximate cost structure and when the funds will be required. Sports is a skill-based career and one is not aware of the level of competence the child will achieve. These are unknowns for which you have to plan a higher budget, and the plan needs to evolve with skill development,' says Dinesh Rohira, Founder & CEO, requires phased, proactive planning that balances long-term growth, short-term liquidity, and flexibility,' says Gogia. So you need to plan for short-, medium- and longterm expenses in varying instruments. 'It also needs to be slightly open-ended and a secondary budget should also be planned for triggers and sudden changes,' says Rohira. OMKAR VINOD18 yrs Bengaluru Parent: Sandhya Viswan, 49 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional squash player or aligned field in sports. CAREER TIMELINE 2016Started at 9 years, played tournaments. 2018 Ranked No. 1 in Kerala. 2023 Started professional training and being ranked in U-19 category. 2025 Has been Kerala No. 1 since 2018 & all-India No. 18 in U-19. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000 a year Current expense Rs.4-5 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2012Rs.25 lakh Current corpus Rs.50 lakh (includes other brother's Rs.25 lakh who doesn't need it) Invested in: Traditional insurance plans. 'In the first phase (5-10 years), moderate but consistent investment in basic coaching and equipment is needed; second phase (11-16 years) calls for high, rapidly increasing costs for advanced coaching, tournaments, nutrition and physio; the third phase of elite training (17-21 years) sees peak expenditure for national/international tournaments, professional academies and sports psychologists; and finally, after 21 years, there is potential income generation or investment for an alternative education/career path,' says a first step, start SIPs in equity funds (large, flexi, or multi cap) at the earliest in order to build a large corpus for the long term, which can be used for higher expenses or Plan B needs. You can also invest in the PPF for tax-free payouts and safety.'For this core corpus, I invested nearly 50% in real estate, and the remaining in multiple assets, including stocks, mutual funds, insurance and gold,' says Warrier. 'It's extremely important to hire a financial planner and have a written plan for this goal. I invested in multiple assets, but am currently relying primarily on mutual funds,' says Menon. For medium-term requirements (3-7 year horizon), start SIPs in balanced advantage funds or fixed deposits of varying maturities that can be broken without incurring penalties as and when the need arises. 'I invested in a large number of Post Office Kisan Vikas Patra with small sums and varying maturities for both my children's sports expenses in the second phase,' says Jhunjhunwala. Next, keep an operational buffer for short-term (1-3 year horizon) expenses like equipment and gear purchase or domestic tournaments, investing in liquid, arbitrage or ultra short-duration funds, or even sweep-in fixed deposits. SUPRIYA DEVGUNFOUNDER & MD, BADMINTON GURUKUL Note:'While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it's actually needed by the upcoming talent.' Given the high risk of injury, it is also crucial to have Rs.50 lakh-1 crore medical and personal accident insurance.'If earnings begin, consider setting up a trust or HUF for tax-efficient structuring. In the career phase (after 21 years), preserve wealth with a diversified mix of equity, debt, and REITs, and create passive income through annuities or systematic withdrawals. Throughout, avoid over-locking your capital; in sports, flexibility is just as important as performance,' says Gogia.'It's also important to review the plan on a regular basis, in six months or one year, depending on the career progress of the child,' advises Rohira. Long-term investment For core corpusStart saving for the child's goal, be it sport or education, at birth. This will help build a large corpus for expensive, professional training if he chooses a sport. Or, if the sports career doesn't work out, it can be used for education in aligned fields later. Where to invest Large-cap, multi-cap or flexi-cap equity mutual funds; PPF. Medium-term investment For professional trainingIn the second phase of his training between 11 and 16 years, expenses will suddenly spiral as he moves from casual to professional training and large sums will be needed for coaching, equipment and tours for tournaments. Where to invest Balanced advantage and equity savings funds, or medium-term fixed deposits for staggered withdrawals. Short-term investment For operational expenses You will need some funds throughout his sporting journey for equipment and gear, fitness, travel and coaching fees. Where to invest Liquid or ultra short-duration funds, or sweep-in fixed deposits. No trending terms available.
Economic Times
30 minutes ago
- Economic Times
India, Oman revise DTAA: What's the income tax impact on professionals earning in both countries?
iStock This move will ensure that taxpayers who are financially active in both India and Oman are not unfairly taxed twice on the same income If you earn income in both India and Oman—say through employment in Oman and investments in India—and pay taxes in India, there's good news, whether you're a salaried professional, business owner, or freelancer. Both nations have revised their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), originally signed in 1997, to reflect today's global tax norms and economic conditions. This update will be effective from 28 May 2025, ensuring that taxpayers aren't unfairly taxed twice on the same income in India and Oman. This brings relief to individuals and businesses working across both countries by creating clear rules about where and how income will be taxed. Oman will be the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to start levying personal income tax at the rate of 5% for high income earners. The tax proposed with effect from January 2028 would be applicable for income above OMR 42,000. Until now, GCC nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have relied mainly on oil exports and have not imposed personal income tax. After the introduction of GCC VAT and corporate income tax, introduction of personal income tax seems to be the next step towards expanding sources of revenue for the government. India has DTAA pacts with multiple countries Comprehensive DTAAs cover all income types, while others apply to limited or specific cases. 'The revision aims to promote crossborder investments and technology transfer by lowering tax rates on royalties and fees for technical services from 15% to 10%. Further, updates have been made in the form of changes in certain definitions, mutual agreement procedures (MAP) and enhancing the framework for information exchange between the two jurisdictions. The agreement has been amended to adapt to the changing economic conditions and global tax reforms, aligning it with the current economic realities,' says Pankaj Agrawal, Associate Director, Global People Solutions, Grand Thornton.'The revised India-Oman tax treaty is a positive move for fair and clear taxation. It also prevents misuse of the treaty and makes information sharing stronger, helping honest businesses and reducing tax evasion,' says Sudhir Kaushik, Cofounder & CEO, important change is the introduction of a non-discrimination clause, which guarantees equal tax treatment for residents of both countries. So, for example, an Indian company operating in Oman will not face a higher tax burden than a comparable Omani firm. The treaty strengthens information exchange mechanisms between the two countries. Tax authorities will now share data more freely, even from banks and financial intermediaries, making it harder to hide income across borders. The revised agreement includes a better MAP to resolve tax disputes more efficiently. It also introduces new rules to prevent abuse of treaty benefits by third-country entities through treaty both nations will assist each other in tax collection. If someone owes tax in India and relocates to Oman, the local authorities can now help recover that amount and vice versa.
Hans India
39 minutes ago
- Hans India
Work smart to win 2029 polls: Naidu to TDP cadre
Vijayawada: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday exhorted his party leaders and cadre to not only work hard but also work smart as 'winning 2029 elections is my plan'. Addressing TDP's ministers, MPs, MLAs, leaders and others at the party office here on Sunday as part of 'Suparipalana - Tholi Adugu' (The First Step in Good Governance) campaign, Naidu stressed that TDP should remain in power beyond 2029 to continue development. Citing Singapore's example of prolonged single-party rule, he claimed that the state would have been on a rapid development path had TDP won in 2019. The Chief Minister further said that the state would aim to become a national innovation hub backed by industry and welfare synergy. According to him, the state government signed several investment-related MoUs that would generate 8.5 lakh jobs. Global corporates such as Google, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), LG Electronics, and ArcelorMittal are among those who will be investing in the state. "Investors believe in Andhra Pradesh's stability and potential," said Naidu, highlighting Cognizant Technology Solutions, Jindal Group, and others setting up units in Rayalaseema and North Andhra regions. Naidu stated that growth would be achieved in backward areas through aerospace, defence, and food processing units, ensuring job creation and equitable regional industrial development across multiple sectors. On the 'First Step in Good Governance' campaign marking the first anniversary of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, he urged party leaders and cadre to actively engage with the public for a month and showcase the state government's welfare and development initiatives implemented in the last one year. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of effective communication. "The government has undertaken numerous positive initiatives in the last year. These must be explained to the people," he asserted. According to him, the party prepared an action plan for a month-long, door-to-door campaign involving party leadership and cadres to disseminate information about the government's achievements. Naidu also urged leaders to be accessible to the public, stating, "the more accessible you are to the people, the more they will support you. Working is one thing; being available to the public is another." He also called for accountability, stating, "let's be accountable to the people. If there are mistakes, let's correct them." Naidu said that he was conducting various surveys to gather real-time information from the ground and assess the performance of MPs and MLAs. 'Only those who work hard will get positions,' he said. Naidu accused the YSR Congress of running deliberate smear campaigns, citing fabricated stories around murders, attacks, and false allegations on governance. He instructed party leaders to counter these narratives boldly, stressing that while highlighting welfare work is vital, exposing the opposition's alleged conspiracy-driven propaganda is equally important.
