Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called upon people to make a collective resolve to transform the State into Swarnadhra by 2047, aligning the goal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision.

Mr. Naidu hoisted the national flag during the 80th Independence Day celebrations held at the Parade Ground in Amaravati and received the Rashtriya Salute.

Police contingents, NCC cadets, the CRPF and Karnataka Police participated in the march-past and tableaux. The Chief Minister also reviewed the preparedness of the APSP and other police forces.

He recalled the sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. He highlighted the contribution of Telugu leaders, including Alluri Sitarama Raju and Pingali Venkayya. He said independence was the outcome of decades of struggle and sacrifices by several generations.

Calling for an “I am” commitment, Mr. Naidu urged citizens to think about what they could contribute to the nation rather than merely claiming their rights. Students should pursue innovation, farmers should adopt nature-friendly agriculture, employees should discharge their responsibilities and women should seize opportunities for empowerment, he said.

He said Andhra Pradesh has overcome repeated challenges, including State formation, bifurcation and the ‘economic setbacks of 2019-24’. Claiming that the previous YSRCP government had pushed the State back by 30 years, he said that the alliance government had undertaken reconstruction after receiving a decisive mandate in 2024.

Mr. Naidu said the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision focused on a “Healthy, Wealthy and Happy AP”, with 10 priorities covering poverty eradication, employment, skills, water security, agri-tech, logistics, energy, quality products, clean Andhra and deep technology.

He stressed decentralised development of Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati economic regions, all districts and constituencies.

Welfare and growth

He said the State’s growth rate had risen to 11.3% after systems were restored, from 10.3% during 2019-24. The government, he said, had spent ₹1.50 lakh crore on welfare and ₹1.34 lakh crore on development in 26 months, while restructuring 370 loans to save ₹8,269 crore.

Listing welfare measures, he cited enhanced pensions, Thalliki Vandanam, Stree Shakti Scheme (free bus travel for women), Deepam-2, Anna Canteens and P4. He announced annual teacher recruitment through DSC, citing 15,941 appointments under Mega DSC 2025.

Investment and job

He said ₹24 lakh crore investment proposals had been secured, with ₹14 lakh crore approved, potentially creating 11 lakh jobs. He also highlighted support for farmers, including ₹20,000 annually under PM-KISAN–Annadata Sukhibhava, prompt paddy payments, crop incentives and technology-driven agriculture.

Mr. Naidu urged citizens to work together over the next two decades to build Swarna Andhra and contribute to Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Published - August 15, 2026 06:47 pm IST