CM Naidu Calls Kuppam ‘Laboratory’ for New Ideas, Technologies

Tirupati:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said Kuppam would be developed as a laboratory for new ideas and technologies, where innovative concepts in education, governance and resource management would be tested for implementation across Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu arrived in Kuppam as part of his three-day constituency tour and inaugurated the Agastya Vidyachal Academy Teacher Training Centre at Gudipalli mandal. Built at a cost of `3 crore on 11,000sq-ft, the centre aims to train about 5,000 teachers and school leaders annually to improve the quality of school education.

The academy focuses on strengthening the education system through scientific and experiential learning methods.

The Agastya Vidyachal Academy is nationally known for its scientific, activity-based approach to teacher training. The newly inaugurated centre has advanced facilities on the lines of DIETs and Block Resource Centres, along with two-way broadcast studios for live interaction. Naidu toured the facility, reviewed the infrastructure and enquired about the training modules and teaching methods in place.

The CM laid the foundation for a Learners’ Accommodation Facility Centre to expand trainee housing beyond the existing 240 capacity, and for the Oberoi Visitors Centre, to be built at a cost of `2 crore, which would offer an immersive multimedia experience on the academy’s work.

During the visit, Naidu interacted with trainee teachers and observed kit-based teaching methods. He later joined students in the auditorium, watched a presentation on the academy’s science and technology programmes, and interacted with them.

Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the future of the state depends on students and youth adopting innovative thinking. Those with new ideas would have better opportunities in the coming years.The government, he said, is taking steps to encourage and support such innovation.

The chief minister said he had known Agastya Academy chairman Ramji Raghavan for 25 years and praised him for running the institution efficiently. The academy’s methods reflected Andhra Pradesh’s future policies, he said, and stressed the need to adapt to global changes with a focus on Artificial Intelligence.

He spoke about reforms in the power sector and the importance of water security through the Handri-Neeva project.

Reiterating his vision for Kuppam as a testing ground for new initiatives, the CM suggested launching pilot projects on water conservation and efficient water use. He urged the Agastya Academy to come up with innovative ideas.

Later, he performed Jala Harati to Krishna waters that reached Gudipalli through the Handri-Neeva canal.