Education only path to development, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said education alone was the true pathway to development, and urged youth to focus on education and sports, which bring global recognition and prestige to India.

Ms. Sitharaman was speaking after inaugurating the computer and science laboratories, and other basic infrastructure worth ₹18 lakh in the Zilla Parishad High School at Pedamainavanilanka village of Narasapuram mandal in West Godavari district. The facilities were provided with the support of the Union Bank of India.

Addressing the students, she said both the Central and State governments were committed to ensuring that every student pursued higher education and achieved greater heights in life.

Interacting with the students, she stressed the importance of digital classrooms in helping them understand global developments and meet modern education standards.

She particularly urged the youth from the coastal regions to pursue higher studies and contribute meaningfully to the development of the State and the nation.

“Focus on education; development and welfare are our responsibility,” Ms. Sitharaman said, adding that a combination of education and sports could elevate India’s standing on the global stage. “Shaping the country’s future rests with today’s youth.,” she added.

Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, District Collector Chadalavada Nagarani, Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi, and several MLAs were among those present.

Mr. Madhav said the transformation of the remote coastal village of Pedamainavanilanka reflected Ms. Sitharaman’s sustained commitment to development. He noted that despite her demanding responsibilities as Finance Minister, she had shown consistent concern for protecting the village from sea erosion and supporting development initiatives over the past decade.

Later, Ms. Sitharaman inaugurated the Cyient AI & Future Skills Hub at the Digital Bhavan in the village. Established under the Cyient Foundation, the centre aims at promoting rural employment and empower youth and women with AI-based, future-ready skills, aligning with national initiatives such as Digital India, Skill India and Viksit Bharat-2047.

Cyient Limited’s founder-Chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to inclusive digital growth, noting that the foundation had already digitised over 120 government schools and provided digital literacy to more than 35,000 students.