Uttam Kumar Reddy Opens St. Ann’s Incubation Centre At Mehdipatnam

· Minister pledges support for entrepreneurship, NCC and skilling; recalls his days at St Ann’s School in BHEL

Hyderabad, September 4: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday inaugurated the St Ann’s Incubation Centre at St Ann’s College for Women, Mehdipatnam, stressing that women empowerment would remain central to the state’s vision for inclusive and sustainable growth.

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With this launch, St Ann’s became the first degree college in Telangana to establish a government-registered incubation centre. The event was attended by Superior General & President of St Ann’s Schools and Colleges Mother Anthonamma, Principal & Education Consultor for Schools Hyderabad Province Dr Sr A. Vijaya Rani, NI-MSME Director Dr Vijaya Erandi, T-Hub CEO Sita Pallacholla, and Osmania University Registrar Prof. Gaddam Narayana Reddy.

Describing incubation centres as the “backbone of innovation-driven economies,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said such initiatives bridge academics with industry and provide students with real-world opportunities. He emphasised that women must play a leading role in this process.

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“Women constitute half the population. If they are not part of growth, we are losing half of our potential. The St Ann’s Incubation Foundation will break barriers for women entrepreneurs, giving them access to mentorship, networks, and funding,” he said.

The Minister underlined that the centre would be more than just a business platform. “It can be a launchpad not only for startups but also for social impact solutions – in sustainability, healthcare, education, rural development and digital inclusion. These are areas where women innovators can transform lives,” he said.

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He assured categorical support from the Telangana government, promising policy initiatives, networks and market access for young innovators. “This centre aligns perfectly with Telangana’s innovation ecosystem. Just as T-Hub and V-Hub have nurtured startups, St Ann’s Incubation Centre will nurture women innovators to lead from the front,” he said.

He urged the college to involve alumni, industry leaders and investors in building the incubation centre into a hub of research, innovation and social entrepreneurship. “The government will be with you at every step of your entrepreneurial journey,” he assured.

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Though St Ann’s College for Women has always been a women’s institution, the Minister recalled his own association with the St Ann’s family. He studied at St Ann’s School, BHEL, in his formative years when it was co-educational. “The morals, values and discipline I learnt there have stayed with me through my life – first as an Air Force officer and later as a politician,” he said.

He added that he continued to support St Ann’s institutions in his constituency in Nalgonda whenever they needed assistance. “This bond makes today’s occasion all the more special,” he remarked.

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Speaking directly to the students, Uttam Kumar Reddy shared his journey from joining the National Defence Academy at the age of 16 to serving as a MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighter pilot on the China and Pakistan borders. “It was my good fortune to work for the defence of the nation and also serve two Presidents of India, R. Venkataraman and Shankar Dayal Sharma, as an Air Force pilot,” he recalled.

After nearly two decades in uniform, he entered politics and has since won seven consecutive elections – six times as MLA and once as MP. He served as PCC president in Telangana and now holds the key portfolio of Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies.

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“My career has had many turns, but the character-building values I imbibed as a student of St Ann’s have been constant,” he said.

The Minister made a special mention of the NCC cadets who presented a parade during the event. Congratulating the cadets and their instructor Major Supriya, he promised to personally take up the matter of strengthening NCC activities at the college with both state and central authorities.

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He also praised the students for their welcome dance, describing it as a “stellar performance of very high standards.”

Turning to the challenges of employability, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that passing out with a degree must translate into opportunities. “For India, young people are our biggest advantage. But it will only remain an advantage if we can skill our youth for the best jobs,” he said.

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He explained that the government had established a Skill University to provide practical training and prepare graduates for global opportunities. “We are continuously striving to improve employability, so that young men and women can take up top jobs both in India and abroad,” he noted.

The Minister also painted a broader picture of Hyderabad’s future. “I have travelled across India and many parts of the world. Hyderabad is among the best cities, with a cosmopolitan culture and moderate climate. We are working to make it a global destination with world-class infrastructure and flawless law and order,” he said.

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He expressed confidence that the incubation foundation at St Ann’s would ensure that women students contributed directly to this growth story through their ventures.

Reiterating the government’s focus, Uttam Kumar Reddy said women empowerment was a key pillar of policy. “Some of you sitting here will be torchbearers of this movement. The government will always stand by you,” he assured.

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He closed his speech by thanking the management and faculty of St Ann’s for inviting him. “It has been a pleasure and privilege to spend this time with you. I once again assure you that the government will support your college, your faculty and your students in every possible way,” he said, wishing them success in their academic and entrepreneurial journeys. (Maxim News)

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