Visakhapatnam: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Monday said students are the future of this nation and Viksit Bharat can be realised only through their efforts.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of Andhra University as the chief guest, the Vice President said talent alone is enough, provided it is channeled in the right direction to achieve success. "You (students) are the future stars of this nation, you are the country's future.

The Viksit Bharat is possible only because of your efforts and your contribution. I wish you all success in your careers and future endeavours," said Radhakrishnan.

Calling on students to value time, he underscored that effective time management is key to success and applies to all age groups.

The Vice President highlighted Andhra Pradesh's current investor-friendly policies, including time-bound clearances, transparent governance, and a robust single-window system providing seamless access to land, power, connectivity, and skilled workforce.

Highlighting the increasing confidence of investors across the globe in Andhra Pradesh, the Vice-President referred to the interest and investments by leading technology companies such as Google. He observed that Visakhapatnam is emerging as a key growth hub, particularly in sectors such as data centres, IT, tourism, electronics, and digital infrastructure, with major projects including hyperscale data centres and IT investments.

Congratulating the people of Andhra Pradesh on Amaravati being declared the permanent capital of the state following the passage of the relevant Bill in Parliament, the Vice-President recounted that he had the privilege of presiding over the Rajya Sabha during the Bill's passage and witnessed the joy and pride of the people. He described the decision as a reflection of the collective aspirations of the people and one that will provide clarity, stability, and direction for the state's administrative future.

Underlining that one must learn to manage internal pressure, the Vice President said failures teach valuable lessons and should not be allowed to demoralise individuals.

The Vice-President said it was a privilege to be part of the historic occasion marking a century of excellence for Andhra University, an institution that has not only witnessed history but has also helped shape it. He noted that over the past 100 years, the university has served as a melting pot of ideas, nurturing generations of students who have contributed significantly to nation-building.

Referring to his earlier visit to Visakhapatnam for the 30th CII Partnership Summit, the Vice-President expressed his satisfaction at the rapid progress made by Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He observed that the state has accelerated its development journey, attracting significant investments and strengthening its position as a hub of innovation and growth. He also acknowledged the role of IT Minister Nara Lokesh in promoting AP's technology ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister N Chandrababu described the varsity's 100-year legacy as a 'brand' and recollected that the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh's first cabinet meeting was held in the university's campus. Recalling that the university was set up before India's freedom struggle, the CM said several eminent personalities played a key role in developing the educational institution, including Jaipur King Vikram Dev, and Gajapati royal family. Not only imparting education, he said Andhra University also strove for the promotion of Telugu language and leadership. Naidu expressed his confidence that the 100-year-old Andhra University will attract students from over 100 countries in the future.