VISAKHAPATNAM: Despite his busy schedule, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had a gala time with the students of Andhra University during the Science College Annual Day celebrations on Wednesday. Though the scheduled time was about one hour, the CM had spent more time interacting with the youth on innovations and sharing experiences of his college days.
“Even now, I fell like a student and love to learn new things everyday,” said Naidu. “The government has been providing WiFi in all universities, infrastructure, e-learning, incubation centres and startups. Students should use of the facilities and emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Naidu recalled the role played by student volunteers during the Krishna Pushkarams. Even after the programme concluded, he asked his MLAs and MPs to wait and started an interactive session with the students.
Naidu asked the students to give him some innovative ideas for development of the state. Two students proffered a few ideas for agriculture and project works, while others wanted amenities. Naidu in a happy mood addressed the boys as brothers (“Thammulu”) and went down the memory lane of his college days.
“I am not that highly educated, but I evinced interest in public issues. During my college days, I used to go to several villages and fight for their problems,” said the CM. The students took liberty to go near him and asked him questions to which Naidu obliged with a smile. “I had a lot of stage fear during my college days. The next generation would be even more faster as they are seen using Smart phones,” he added.
Naidu had asked all the students to take out their Smart phones, light the torch and wave them in air. “Even during my meeting, my ministers take out phone and gaze at it. I wonder whether they are noting down points of the meeting or browsing,” said Naidu in a lighter vein, provoking laugher in the crowd.
AU registrar V Uma Maheswara Rao later announced that they were organising a major alumni meet on December 10 under the guidance of HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and GMR chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao.
Science College principal CV Raman told the CM that the students were not getting scholarships like their counterparts in affiliated colleges. He said that their students were receiving Rs 680, while their counterparts receive Rs 1,050. In response, Naidu said that he would find a solution soon.