Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is all set to begin his fourth term in office. The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for today, will witness dignitaries like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP chief J P Nadda in attendance. Naidu, a prominent figure in Indian politics, first assumed the role of Chief Minister for the undivided Andhra Pradesh back in 1995. He is widely recognized for his efforts in transforming Hyderabad into a technology hub, particularly by persuading Bill Gates to establish a Microsoft office in the city.
During the AP AgTech Summit in 2017, Naidu reminisced about his encounter with Bill Gates in the late 1990s. Despite Gates’ busy schedule, Naidu managed to secure a meeting with him by contacting US officials. What was initially planned as a 10-minute appointment turned into a 40-minute discussion. Gates acknowledged Naidu’s unwavering belief in digital technology, emphasizing the latter’s vision for leveraging advanced tools to enhance government operations.
The dialogue culminated in Microsoft establishing its India Development Centre in Hyderabad in 1998. Remarkably, Satya Nadella, a native of the region, later ascended to the position of Microsoft CEO, underlining the significant impact of Naidu’s efforts. Reflecting on the meeting, Gates expressed astonishment at Naidu’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to digital transformation. The anecdotes from this encounter serve as a testament to Naidu’s instrumental role in propelling Hyderabad towards becoming a prominent technology destination.
