Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at International Mediation Conference, Visakhapatnam began his address by celebrating Visakhapatnam as a city of natural beauty, cultural richness, and inclusiveness. He remarked that while people often go to Hyderabad for opportunities, Visakhapatnam has the charm and potential to make people settle permanently. He proudly highlighted that the city has recently been rated among the safest cities for women, emphasizing that when women are safe, the entire society becomes safer and stronger.
Turning to the judiciary, the Chief Minister praised it as a pillar of Indian democracy, widely respected for its credibility, transparency, and commitment to justice. While acknowledging that delays do occur, he underlined that citizens continue to place immense faith in the judiciary, knowing that justice will ultimately be delivered.
Reflecting on his own public journey from entering politics in 1978, becoming a minister in 1988, and taking office as Chief Minister in 1995, Shri Naidu recalled the transformative impact of India’s 1991 economic reforms and the IT revolution of the mid-1990s. He expressed pride in India’s economic rise: from being the 11th largest economy a decade ago, to now the 4th largest, with the potential to become the 3rd largest next year, the 2nd largest by 2038, and the world’s largest economy by 2047.
He then spoke on alternative dispute resolution and mediation, noting that mediation has deep roots in Indian tradition from Lord Krishna’s role in the Mahabharata to the respected role of village elders in resolving disputes. He stressed that, with rising litigation, mediation must be strengthened as an effective and parallel mechanism to courts.
Highlighting the role of technology in justice delivery, Shri Naidu referred to advances such as virtual hearings, e-filing, mobile updates, and online dispute resolution platforms, which have made justice more transparent and accessible. He also noted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drones, and quantum computing, cautioning that these must be used responsibly to support justice and governance.
Looking to the future of Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister shared his vision of building the city into a global hub of innovation, surpassing even Singapore. He highlighted significant investments by Google, TCS, Cognizant, and major data centres, positioning Visakhapatnam to become India’s leading Quantum Valley. He also pointed to initiatives such as Space City near Tirupati and Drone City at Kurnool, which place Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies.
He underlined that India is living in an inspiring era, where technology and governance can combine to deliver services seamlessly. He cited Andhra Pradesh’s success in delivering over 700 government services through WhatsApp, supported by AI, satellite data, and real-time monitoring systems.
In conclusion, Shri Naidu stressed that as India aspires to become the world’s leading economy and society, it must ensure inclusive growth, bridging the gap between rich and poor, and securing better living standards for every citizen. For this, he emphasized, politicians and the judiciary must work hand in hand to guide the nation.
Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for its role and guidance, he voiced his confidence that India will not only become the best place to live but also a leader of the global community.