Hyderabad, Aug 24 (IANS): Tata Trusts, a leading philanthropic organisation engaged in community development, will develop 264 villages in Andhra Pradesh.

An MoU between Tata Trusts and the Andhra Pradesh government was signed in Vijayawada on Monday in the presence of Tata Group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The villages will be developed in Vijayawada constituency and Tata Trusts will work towards community empowerment and improve the overall quality of living through an integrated multi-thematic approach in the region.

The NGO will also work in areas like bamboo cultivation, fisheries, health and nutrition and village development.

Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said this was the first time that such a huge number of villages are being adopted. He said this will set an example in the country as it will be mentored by industry titan Ratan Tata.

He requested Tata to visit Andhra Pradesh often and mentor entrepreneurs in the state.

Rata Tata said he would help Naidu on bringing new industries and ideas to Andhra Pradesh. "At the end of my career, I realize that money can't buy one thing and, that is to create an excitement in your life. At this point of time, to be associated with Chandrababu Naidu is what creates that excitement within me. The new state will have every bit of support that I can personally give."

In an interactive session with industrialists, Tata said shared his views on the start-up ecosystem and about the way he chooses to support-start-ups in the country.