You Are 'MRIs' Not NRIs: Lokesh to Telugu Diaspora in Dallas
Dallas, USA: Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT and Human Resources, Nara Lokesh, praised the global Telugu community for its unwavering support, declaring them "Most Reliable Indians" during a rousing address to thousands at the Curtis Culwell Center. He pledged the state government's full backing for the diaspora, acknowledging their crucial role in the NDA alliance's recent electoral success.
In his address, Lokesh expressed deep gratitude for the support shown by Telugu people in the United States, particularly during the arrest of former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. "You are not NRIs - you are MRIs: Most Reliable Indians," he stated, crediting their solidarity with helping the alliance secure a decisive mandate of 164 out of 175 assembly seats.
Outlining the new government's ambitious vision, Nara Lokesh asserted that Andhra Pradesh is rapidly becoming India's "brand ambassador of speed" under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. He detailed a decentralized growth strategy aimed at transforming eight key zones across the state, focusing on sectors like automotive manufacturing in Anantapur, electronics in Chittoor, and IT and pharmaceuticals in North Andhra.
"Our primary mission is to create 20 lakh (2 million) jobs in five years," Nara Lokesh announced. He noted that the government has already secured investment commitments worth ₹20 lakh crore, which have the potential to generate 16 lakh jobs, and is now focused on swift implementation. To foster investor confidence, he emphasized the need for political stability, stating, "NDA will govern AP for at least 15 years to ensure sustained development."
Addressing the specific needs of the diaspora, the minister announced the ‘Kallaku Rekkalu’ initiative to support students pursuing education abroad. He also assured that the AP Non-Resident Telugu Society (AP NRT) would protect Telugu families facing any form of crisis overseas. He encouraged the community to transition from "job seekers to job creators," leveraging state-backed platforms like the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.
While maintaining a development-first agenda, Lokesh also addressed past political grievances, particularly the insults directed at his mother in the State Assembly. "We hold no vendetta. But those who humiliated women will not escape the law," he affirmed, promising that accountability would be upheld.
The event was attended by prominent figures including AP Government Advisor for NRI Affairs Vemuru Ravikumar, NRI TDP USA Coordinator Komati Jayaram, and Garland Mayor Dylan Hedrick, drawing a large crowd from across Texas and the United States.
In his address, Lokesh expressed deep gratitude for the support shown by Telugu people in the United States, particularly during the arrest of former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. "You are not NRIs - you are MRIs: Most Reliable Indians," he stated, crediting their solidarity with helping the alliance secure a decisive mandate of 164 out of 175 assembly seats.
Outlining the new government's ambitious vision, Nara Lokesh asserted that Andhra Pradesh is rapidly becoming India's "brand ambassador of speed" under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. He detailed a decentralized growth strategy aimed at transforming eight key zones across the state, focusing on sectors like automotive manufacturing in Anantapur, electronics in Chittoor, and IT and pharmaceuticals in North Andhra.
"Our primary mission is to create 20 lakh (2 million) jobs in five years," Nara Lokesh announced. He noted that the government has already secured investment commitments worth ₹20 lakh crore, which have the potential to generate 16 lakh jobs, and is now focused on swift implementation. To foster investor confidence, he emphasized the need for political stability, stating, "NDA will govern AP for at least 15 years to ensure sustained development."
Addressing the specific needs of the diaspora, the minister announced the ‘Kallaku Rekkalu’ initiative to support students pursuing education abroad. He also assured that the AP Non-Resident Telugu Society (AP NRT) would protect Telugu families facing any form of crisis overseas. He encouraged the community to transition from "job seekers to job creators," leveraging state-backed platforms like the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.
While maintaining a development-first agenda, Lokesh also addressed past political grievances, particularly the insults directed at his mother in the State Assembly. "We hold no vendetta. But those who humiliated women will not escape the law," he affirmed, promising that accountability would be upheld.
The event was attended by prominent figures including AP Government Advisor for NRI Affairs Vemuru Ravikumar, NRI TDP USA Coordinator Komati Jayaram, and Garland Mayor Dylan Hedrick, drawing a large crowd from across Texas and the United States.