'I believe that IT is power, it is knowledge, it is everything.'

–Chandra Babu Naidu,

Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh

The

CEO of Andhra Pradesh Inc needs no introduction. Also called the

‘Computer Minister’, he is a politician and leader who easily stands

out from the rest of the breed. A strong motivator in N Chandrababu

Naidu from the early days of his political career has been the desire

to work for upliftment of community standards. And another equally

strong stirring stemming from his Master of Economics background

and his unfinished doctorate, has been to use technology and innovation

to deliver the goods. As Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh since

1995, Naidu has taken a number of infotech measures across his domain.

These include the state-wide optical fiber network essential for

video conferencing, internet and interactive kiosks, GIS and datawarehousing

applications, introduction of workflow automation for realization

of a paperless office and the state intranet for information dissemination.

At a recent meeting with Naidu, DATAQUEST sought answers on how

his vision on the role of IT has changed since he took charge. Excerpts:

How long has it been since you introduced

IT in the state?



Only three years.

When you started what was your vision

about the benefits of using IT in the state?



Three years back IT was not predominant in our priorities. Of course,
IT professionals were there in Andhra Pradesh. The total number

of IT professionals and NRIs in the country is considerable. The

personnel are also very high both in quality and quantity. But traditionally

Hyderabad was not recognized as a base for IT.

Since then how has your vision changed?



Today we are very clear. I strongly believe that IT is very, very
important. In the future IT will play a very dominant role even

in an ordinary citizen’s life. That is what is going to happen.

I also believe that IT is power, it is knowledge, it is everything.

Those who will adopt IT–they will prosper. Those who neglect IT

will lag behind. So I am developing IT not only for the common man’s

use but also promoting IT. In the recent past you have seen that

those who are working in IT are becoming very prosperous.

Indians have advantages. One is English.

We are very strong in English. After the Americans, Indians have

that advantage. The other thing is that we are strong in mathematics.

These two things are helping us lead in international competition

and also global competition.

Are you in a position to leverage

those strengths for the development of the state?



Yes. What I am saying is that this is one area where we can globally
compete very easily. At the same time Andhra Pradesh contributes

23% of NRI, or IT professionals. So we have to utilize all these

things for promoting software companies and also IT applications.

After keeping IT as a focus for

three years are you satisfied with your achievements?



As of today we have created the Hitech City and also IIIT, that
is the Indian Institute of Information Technology. In IIIT multinational

companies have started their schools. So along with international

expertise, we also want the best quality of IT education here. Recently,

I have sent one team to America to study the syllabus. Now we are

upgrading the syllabus of our computer courses. There are so many

other areas where we are working

Are you confident that your efforts

are being recognized by the global IT community?



I am totally confident. We are giving so much encouragement. Even
NRIs–they are coming here. They are settling here and also starting

some software companies. Even the people in Andhra Pradesh are coping

very well. They are able to compete with other people all over the

world. That is the situation.

The immediate benefits of your efforts

goes to the IT community. How long will it take for the common man

to realize a difference in their everyday life?



All that has already started. One of the core projects is the registration
of the documents, property and all these things. Previously it used

to take one week’s time. Now it is a matter of half an hour. We

are working on so many applications. In Hyderabad, we have six departments

with more than 18 services, which we are going to give in a single

counter. Now all this has got a name. It will have a tremendous

affect on the common man’s life.

What is your vision of Andhra Pradesh

five years from now?



My vision is that within two, three years time every village should
have internet. They must have access all over the world. There should

be an excellent fiber optic backbone. And at the same time we want

to go for e-governance, so that there would be no need to go to

offices and avoid all these problems. Even in a village, through

the internet or electronically you can have access to information

and look at things.

On another side we want to promote

software companies and software operations. For all these things

you have to work all over the world. You must be in a position to

impact all over world. And you must upgrade your skills and provide

solutions for the problems.

What is your vision of the Indian

IT industry five years from now?



I am very clear. India has a bright future in IT. After America,
India will play a very dominant role. For that you have to take

several policy decisions. Even in the recent past you will see that

all those people who are from IT have got so much of wealth. That

is a very good trend. This is one industry where we have to concentrate.

That is what I am appealing to the Central Government to adopt.

Akila Subramanian

and Arun Shankar



in Hyderabad.