Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday stressed the importance of creating products rather than merely working as employees. He said that products guarantee complete revenue and royalties.
Speaking at the inauguration of BSNL’s Swadeshi 4G Mobile Network in Vijayawada, Naidu highlighted that while Indians download 24 per cent of apps created by others, 95 per cent of the revenue ends up with foreign companies. “We are doing job work, but the real money is in products. If we develop products, we get 100 per cent of the revenue along with royalties,” he said. Naidu added that securing patents is crucial for innovation.
The Chief Minister shared his vision of making smartphones accessible to every citizen. He said Andhra Pradesh will set an example of how mobile technology can simplify everyday life. He praised BSNL for opting for indigenous development by cancelling a global tender in 2020. This decision led to the launch of the Swadeshi 4G network.
Highlighting the role of 4G technology, the Chief Minister said it is essential to expand services such as ‘Mana Mitra’ (coalition government’s WhatsApp Governance initiative). This initiative currently offers over 700 citizen services in the State. Reflecting on his contributions to the telecom sector, Naidu recalled submitting a report to the Union government in 1998. He noted that it contributed to deregulation and helped BSNL evolve into a strong organisation today.
Naidu also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him ‘the right leader at the right time’. He highlighted initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. He cited India’s vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global adoption of UPI technology by countries like France and Singapore was also mentioned as an example of the country’s growing influence.
Stating that no obstacle can stop India’s progress, Naidu asserted that the country is on track to become a global leader by 2047. He urged citizens to embrace smart work in the knowledge economy.