Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Naidu traces his path to IT success

Special Correspondent

"A 5-minute meeting with Bill Gates paved way for Microsoft's entry in State"

N. Chandrababu Naidu

HYDERABAD: Former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday outlined how he had visualised a bright future for Information Technology (IT) long ago.

Inaugurating a national seminar on `executives development' organised by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) here on Saturday, he said he realised that IT would do wonders if used as a strategic tool of development. His views were frowned upon initially.

He created Hi-Tech City in Hyderabad in his early years as Chief Minister and wanted to bring one flagship IT company here.

Mr. Naidu said he was desperate for a meeting with Microsoft chief Gates to showcase the potential of Hyderabad in IT.

With great difficulty, the American Embassy arranged a meeting for five minutes. He made a power-point presentation that ensured Microsoft's entry to the city.

Mr. Naidu said Hyderabad was not even on IT map when he prepared the plans.

Today, about 30 per cent of Indian computer professionals seeking visas to US were from the State.

He said the day was not far off when voice mail would be free and billing restricted to data transmission.

Envisioning such a scenario, he had urged the Centre to scrap monopoly on BSNL and VSNL, the two major telecom operators of the country.

The sector was finally thrown open for private players.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Commuters `running away' from late-running local trains
Good response to new Domestic Violence Act
Mosquito breeding goes on unabated in twin cities
`Congress session ignored issues affecting people'
"Amend G.O.s for prisoners' release"
Dattatreya constitutes 25-member BJP State committee
TDP leader roots for Basar
10 subjects for Panchayat Raj
`Kalyanamastu' breaks barriers
Naidu traces his path to IT success
Third murder in a week at Rajendranagar
MP wants debate with CPI(M) on land issue
CLP hits out at Narendra
Apartments to pay more water tariff
Accused in spurious drug case held
Scorpio `thief' arrested
Power shutdown
`Probe revival of minority status to B.Ed colleges'
Blackberry plans expansion
Around the City
In Hyderabad Today
Crime Watch

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu