Anand Mahindra calls Telangana a ‘state at a pivotal moment’ at Rising Global Summit

Mahindra Group chairman praises state’s forward-looking vision; says Young India Skills University will redefine blue-collar talent for the AI age

Hyderabad, December 11: Business tycoon and the chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra said Telangana is at a transformative moment in its development journey, praising the state’s newly launched long-term vision unveiled at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025. Addressing the gathering, he called the blueprint “one of the most ambitious and people-centric visions” he has seen globally, noting its foundation in large-scale citizen consultation.

Mahindra said the vision stood out not just for its scale, but for the manner in which it was shaped — with direct inputs from people across Telangana. “History shows that the dreams which become reality are those that are shared. When people participate in designing their own future, the odds of success rise dramatically,” he said.

He highlighted the focus areas of the state’s vision: youth empowerment, women as economic leaders and sustainability as a core principle. Calling these elements “a powerful embodiment of purposeful policy,” Mahindra said the Mahindra Group was proud to be an active contributor to the state’s development, citing the women-led battery manufacturing facility in Zaheerabad as one example.

Mahindra also spoke about his decision to chair the Young India Skills University. Initially hesitant due to prior commitments, he said he was compelled by the chief minister’s clarity of purpose. “He saw that the Young India Skills University was not just about Telangana, but about India’s future. That turned the request into an offer I could not refuse,” he said.

Addressing concerns around the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence, Mahindra said he remains optimistic. “The more digital the world becomes, the more valuable the human touch will be,” he said. As AI eliminates repetitive tasks, he believes value will shift to skills that machines cannot replicate — craftsmanship, empathy, intuition and on-ground problem-solving.

He noted that many advanced economies today face a shortage of skilled workers despite having abundant capital and technology. “They have a surplus of managers but a shortage of makers,” he said, adding that nations are built “not only on the cloud, but firmly on the ground.”

Mahindra said the Young India Skills University aligns with Telangana’s approach of elevating blue-collar talent. “Through this University, we are asserting that the Blue Collar is the new Gold Collar. We are preparing a workforce that is not threatened by AI, but indispensable despite it,” he said.

He concluded by affirming Mahindra Group’s commitment to Telangana: “We will stand with you as you turn this distilled ambition of your people into prosperity.”