Telangana most successful ‘Startup State’: KTR

metro india news  I hyderabad

Telangana has emerged as the most successful ‘startup state’ in independent India, said BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) while addressing the 21st annual India Business Conference at the prestigious Columbia Business School in New York. Speaking to students, industrialists, and global investors, KTR highlighted the remarkable progress Telangana has made since its formation.

He recalled the decade-long development journey post the state’s creation, emphasizing the leadership of the first Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, which positioned Telangana as a model in governance, innovation, and economic growth. KTR described Telangana’s journey as a symbol of self-respect, ambition, and progress, stating that the state did not wait for opportunities but proactively created them through effective policies and infrastructure, building investor confidence and achieving rapid growth.

With India preparing for its 80th Independence Day in 2027, he said the economic progress Telangana achieved in just ten years is a matter of pride. KTR stressed that clear leadership and accountability drive faster development, adding that shaping the future through action is better than merely talking about it. He urged the central government to recognize that states are engines of national growth, with each state leveraging its unique strengths to contribute to the country’s progress. He likened India to a Formula 1 car with 28 engines, each state advancing in its own way to propel the nation forward.

KTR also underscored that international investment decisions are ultimately made at the state and city levels. He pointed out Telangana’s extraordinary growth in IT and industrial sectors between 2014 and 2023. IT exports rose from Rs 57,000 crore to Rs 2.72 lakh crore, and IT employment increased from 3.23 lakh to nearly 10 lakh jobs. Hyderabad has become a preferred address for global IT giants, hosting Amazon’s largest campus in the world, along with operations of Google, Apple, Meta, Salesforce, Uber, and Micron Technology.

He described Telangana as the hub of innovation, crediting initiatives like T Works and TASK for promoting innovation. Unicorn startups such as Skyroot Aerospace, Darwin Box, Zenoti, and Highradius have emerged from Hyderabad. Telangana has also become a global life sciences hub, producing a third of the world’s vaccines with an annual output of 10 billion doses and holding a 40% share in domestic bulk drug production.

KTR highlighted agricultural innovations, noting that the Kaleshwaram multi-purpose lift irrigation project supplies water to 4.5 million acres. He emphasized that the next phase of growth lies in integrating AI, life sciences, fintech, and agri-tech. He urged Indian students and professionals abroad to participate in India’s development, encouraging them to combine ideas with disciplined planning, attract investments, build trust, and enhance capabilities for future challenges.