Nara Lokesh shares his journey from backbencher to achieving goals and inspires students

PARVATHIPURAM: The education and IT minister, Nara Lokesh, said he was a backbencher and mischievous as a child. However, he never crossed the line and was determined to achieve his goals.

The minister mentioned that he got inspiration from his CM father, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, and former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in politics.He said Chandrababu constantly thinks about AP and has many ideas for development. While PV Narasimha Rao brought economic reforms to the country, Vajpayee introduced reforms in telecom, roads, and education. Former Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew is his inspiration in international politics because he transformed a fishing village into a financial powerhouse.

He feels fortunate to be born into a visionary family like TDP founder President, former CM NTR, and Chandrababu.While interacting with the students, Minister Lokesh faced many typical and interesting queries from the students here on Monday. Addressing various queries, Lokesh discussed overcoming personal setbacks, including academic disappointments. Lokesh shared personal anecdotes and said that Professor Rajireddy was his favourite during his engineering days.

He was a mischievous child and used to get scolded by his mother during parent-teacher meetings.

However, he learned about the lifestyles of students from many countries during his study at Stanford.Lokesh replied to a query that he was disappointed when he didn't get the expected marks or a university seat while studying. After working for five years at Heritage and developing the organisation, he learned lessons from defeat.

Everyone will also face many tests in life. Face them bravely and move forward, he said.Kusuma, a differently-abled student from Pedadimili ZP High School, praised the current govt's support for differently-abled individuals. Lokesh commended her aspirations to become a software engineer despite challenges. He explained the DSC notification process and addressed concerns about court cases. Responding to infrastructure requests from Parvathipuram students, he announced the reinstatement of financial incentives and laptops for students securing places in prestigious institutions.Responding to Rishita from Kurupam ZP High School about library facilities, he detailed plans for village, mandal, and constituency-level libraries, including a premier facility in Amaravati. He emphasised holistic development through sports, NCC, and yoga, noting Prime Minister Modi's focus on yoga."We have prepared a special children's constitution for school students. To instil moral values, we have prepared books with Preacher Chaganti Koteswara Rao. Respect for women should start at home. Avoid saying things like 'Are you wearing bangles?' or 'Don't cry like a girl.' We have changed textbook illustrations of household chores to show both men and women equally. No matter how many laws are made, change must come from within.

Therefore, we are bringing changes to the curriculum from KG to PG," he said.