Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched a book titled 'CBN @ 361 Degrees — Polymath' at an event organised by the Kakatiya Cultural Association in Singapore on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The book, authored by Shakamuri Srinivasa Prasad, Chief Editor of the Telugu daily Repati Kosam (For Tomorrow), analyses key decisions taken by Naidu across his tenures as a visionary leader.

Context

The book was translated into English by retired IAS officer K.V. Satyanarayana, broadening its reach beyond Telugu-speaking audiences. According to the author, the book examines Naidu's decisions through the lens of global governance, drawing comparisons with internationally acclaimed leaders such as Lee Kuan Yew, founding Prime Minister of Singapore, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern — both regarded as benchmark administrators. The author argues that Naidu's approach to policy-making mirrors the long-term, transformative thinking associated with such figures.

Policy Backdrop

A central theme of the book is Amaravati, the planned greenfield capital of Andhra Pradesh, which Naidu's government has championed as a symbol of the state's developmental ambitions since the 2014 bifurcation of the state. The author cites Naidu's sustained focus on Amaravati's construction and his articulation of long-term visions for Andhra Pradesh as direct evidence of governance comparable to global standards. Former AP RERA Chairman Ramanath also contributed perspectives to the book, with the author noting that it brings to light aspects of Naidu's leadership that have remained largely unknown to the outside world.

Andhra Pradesh governments under Naidu have historically invoked Singapore's urban planning model — particularly Lee Kuan Yew's legacy — when framing large-scale infrastructure and capital-city projects. This book launch continues that pattern, using an overseas diaspora platform to project the Amaravati vision to an international audience.

Stakeholders and Impact

The event was attended by India's High Commissioner to Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, lending diplomatic visibility to the occasion. State Minister P. Narayana and representatives of the Kakatiya Cultural Association were also present. The association, which represents the Telugu diaspora in Singapore, regularly organises cultural and community events that connect overseas Telugus with developments back home in Andhra Pradesh.

For the Telugu diaspora in Singapore and beyond, the book serves as both a political biography and a policy document, framing Naidu's multi-decade career within an international governance context. The English translation by a retired IAS officer signals an intent to reach policy circles and international readers, not just the domestic Telugu audience.

What's Next

The book's launch in Singapore — rather than in Andhra Pradesh itself — underscores the Naidu government's continued effort to attract overseas attention and investment to the state, particularly for the Amaravati capital project. Observers will watch whether the Singapore event leads to further engagements with investors or policymakers in the city-state, and whether the English edition of the book circulates in diplomatic and policy forums. Progress on Amaravati's construction timelines and any investment announcements linked to such diaspora outreach will remain key indicators of the government's international strategy.