N. R. Narayana Murthy
N. R. Narayana Murthy (born August 20, 1946) is an Indian billionaire businessman and the co-founder of Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting. He is widely regarded as the "Father of the Indian IT Industry." Dipankar Nigam / Unplugged Dipankar
| N. R. Narayana Murthy | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birth Name | Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy |
| Born | August 20, 1946 |
| Origin | Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.E. (Electrical), M.Tech (IIT Kanpur) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, IT Industry Leader |
| Company | Infosys (Co-founder) |
| Industry | Information Technology |
| Net Worth | $4.4 billion (2024) |
| Notable Ventures | Infosys, Catamaran Ventures |
| Website | Infosys |
Early Life and Education
Born in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, Murthy graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mysore in 1967. He later earned a Master's degree from IIT Kanpur.
Career
Early Career
Before founding Infosys, Murthy worked at IIM Ahmedabad and Patni Computer Systems. His experiences with socialism in Bulgaria during the 1970s shaped his views on compassionate capitalism.
Founding Infosys
In 1981, Murthy co-founded Infosys with six other engineers, starting with just $250 borrowed from his wife, Sudha Murthy. Under his leadership, Infosys grew to become one of the largest IT companies in India.
Leadership at Infosys
Murthy served as CEO (1981–2002), Chairman (2002–2011), and Executive Chairman (2013–2014). He is credited with establishing a culture of transparency and corporate governance at Infosys.
Philosophy
Murthy is known for his concept of "Compassionate Capitalism" - the belief that businesses should create wealth while also benefiting society. His leadership principles include:
- Leading by example
- Transparency and accountability
- Meritocracy
- Sharing wealth with employees
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Vibhushan (2008)
- Padma Shri (2000)
- Legion of Honour, France (2008)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2007)
Philanthropy
Through the Infosys Foundation (led by his wife Sudha Murthy), the family has contributed to healthcare, education, and rural development across India.
Personal Life
Murthy married Sudha Murthy, a philanthropist and author, in 1978. Their son Rohan Murthy is a computer scientist, and daughter Akshata Murthy is married to Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.