N. R. Narayana Murthy

N. R. Narayana Murthy – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

N. R. Narayana Murthy (born 1946), Indian business icon, co-founder of Infosys, champion of corporate ethics, and mentor to generations. Read his journey, principles, and enduring wisdom.

Introduction

Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy—commonly known as N. R. Narayana Murthy—is one of the most respected figures in India’s information technology industry and global entrepreneurship. Born on August 20, 1946, he co-founded Infosys, which became a flagship success story in Indian IT services and outsourcing. Beyond business, Murthy is known for his emphasis on corporate governance, ethics, humility, and giving back. His life and words offer lessons not just in building wealth, but in building character and sustainable institutions.

Early Life and Family

Murthy was born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, a town in the Kolar district of Karnataka, India, then part of the Kingdom of Mysore under British rule.

He attended local schools in Kannada medium until class 10. National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical). Master of Technology (MTech) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

Murthy is married to Sudha Murthy, an educator, author, and philanthropist. Akshata and a son Rohan. Rishi Sunak, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Foundation Years

After completing his studies, Murthy first worked as a research associate at IIM Ahmedabad, where he was involved in programming and time-sharing systems. Patni Computer Systems in Pune. Softronics, but that business did not succeed in the long run.

In 1981, Murthy and a group of like-minded software professionals founded Infosys, initially with a capital of ₹10,000 (seed capital contributed by his wife, Sudha). global delivery / outsourcing model, positioning India as a hub for software services.

Murthy also emphasized meritocracy, transparency, ethical management, and corporate governance as foundational values for building a sustainable and respected company.

Over the years, Infosys grew into a multinational firm with clients around the world, and Murthy’s reputation as a business leader expanded globally.

Later Roles & Return

In 2011, Murthy officially stepped down from the board and took the title Chairman Emeritus. Executive Chairman for a limited period, to help steer transition and stability.

Outside of Infosys, Murthy has held positions in many boards and institutions: he has served on the boards of HSBC, Unilever, ICICI, and others. Infosys Foundation, which invests in education, healthcare, rural development, and arts.

Murthy has been honored by the Government of India with Padma Shri (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2008).

Fortune magazine named him among the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time, and Time has referred to him as “the father of the Indian IT sector.”

Historical & Business Context

• Murthy’s rise coincided with India’s liberalization policies in the early 1990s, which allowed growth of private enterprise and increased integration with the global economy.

• The offshore outsourcing model—particularly in software and IT services—became a major competitive advantage for India, and Infosys was among the pioneers.

• His emphasis on corporate governance and ethical standards came at a time when many Indian companies were criticized for opacity, nepotism or governance lapses.

• Murthy’s leadership style and values helped shape India’s reputation in global IT business—not merely as a low-cost labor destination, but as a center of competent, ethical enterprise.

Personality, Values & Leadership Style

Murthy is often described as humble, principled, disciplined, and consistent. Unlike many high-profile CEOs, he has avoided flamboyance, preferring to lead by example.

Key character traits and principles of his leadership include:

• Ethics over shortcuts: He insists that doing the “right thing” is non-negotiable, even when it is difficult or costly.

• Meritocracy: He advocated that talent and performance—not discounting background or wealth—should determine opportunities within an organization.

• Accountability & transparency: He pushed for clear disclosure, board independence, and systems to check misuse of power.

• Mentorship & succession: He believed in grooming future leaders rather than clinging to power indefinitely.

• Learning & humility: Murthy often speaks about failures, the need to stay open, the importance of humility, and continuous learning.

• Frugality & grounded living: Even as wealth increased, Murthy has maintained modest personal habits relative to his stature and influence.

Famous Quotes of N. R. Narayana Murthy

Here are several impactful and frequently cited quotes of Narayana Murthy:

“Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset.” “Love your job, but never fall in love with your company.” “Respect, recognition, and reward flow out of performance.” “In the fullness of time, when it is our turn to give, we must in turn plant gardens that we may never eat the fruit of, which will benefit the generations to come.” “It is better to underpromise and overdeliver than vice versa. For this one need not break the law of the land.” “The velocity of decision making in government was extraordinarily slow. It took 18 to 24 months and 15 to 20 trips to Delhi to get a license to import computers.” “I want Infosys to be a company ... where people belonging to different nationalities, races and religious beliefs will work with intense competition but utmost courtesy, dignity and co-operation.” “It’s very important to learn quick lessons from your failures ... and it is very, very important … to not be attached too much to the idea — you have to know when to give up an idea.” “When people get rich, they cut themselves off from the context that has earned them these riches – the context of the common men.” “Even in a meritocracy, other things being equal, you have to give opportunity to the more experienced candidate.”

These quotations illustrate Murthy’s emphasis on performance, humility, learning, ethical conduct, and the balance between ambition and responsibility.

Lessons from N. R. Narayana Murthy

1. Build on principles, not just execution. Success without integrity is fragile; ethics anchor long-term sustainability.

2. Lead by creating more leaders. Real leadership is not about personal power but about institutional continuity.

3. Embrace failure as feedback. Murthy encourages quick lessons from mistakes and willingness to pivot or abandon ideas that don’t work.

4. Value humility and openness. Even as you rise, stay curious, grounded, and connected to broader society.

5. Think long-term and give back. His metaphor of planting gardens whose fruits one may never eat is a powerful call to generational stewardship.

6. Meritocracy with empathy. Opportunities should be open, but leadership must remain empathetic to context, background, and fairness.

Conclusion

N. R. Narayana Murthy is more than a business magnate—he is a moral exemplar in Indian corporate life. His journey, from a small town in Karnataka to global business leadership, is anchored not just by ambition and skill, but by a sustained commitment to values, humility, and learning.

In a world often drawn to flamboyant leaders, Murthy’s steadiness, transparency, and service remind us that true influence combines success with character. His life and sayings remain a beacon for entrepreneurs, leaders, and individuals seeking to build not just wealth, but institutions—and legacies—of value.