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‘We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?’ says Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy calls for Indians to aspire for global excellence. (PTI/ file photo)
Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again advocated for a 70-hour workweek, urging India’s younger generation to adopt hard work for the country’s progress. Speaking during the centenary launch of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, alongside RPSG Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka, Murthy called for Indians to aspire for global excellence.
Reflecting on his vision, Murthy stated, “At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. Once we compare ourselves with the best global companies, I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do. We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?”
From Socialism to Capitalism: A Journey of Realisation
Sharing insights from his early years, Murthy recounted his experiences as a young Leftist during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister. He spoke of the optimism surrounding the establishment of Indian Institutes of Technology and his subsequent eye-opening stint in Paris in the early 1970s.
“My father used to talk about the extraordinary progress that was happening in the country at the time, and we were all sold on Nehru and socialism. I had the opportunity to work in Paris in the early 70s, and I was confused. The West was talking about how filthy and corrupt India was. In my country, there was poverty and the roads had potholes,” he recalled.
Contrasting India’s struggles with the prosperity he witnessed in the West, Murthy added, “Everyone there was reasonably prosperous, trains ran on time, and I thought this can’t be wrong. I met the leader of the French Communist Party, and he answered all my questions, but not to my satisfaction. I realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. The government has absolutely no role in entrepreneurship.”
Entrepreneurs: The Nation Builders
Murthy emphasised the critical role entrepreneurs play in nation-building through job creation and wealth generation. “Entrepreneurs build a nation as they create jobs, they create wealth for their investors, and they pay taxes. Therefore, if a country embraces capitalism, it will create good roads, good trains, and good infrastructure,” he said.
Kolkata: A Cultural Beacon
Murthy expressed admiration for Kolkata’s rich heritage, describing it as “the most cultured place in the entire country.” He added, “When I think of Kolkata, I think of Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Subhash Chandra Bose, Amartya Sen, and a host of other personalities.”
A Call to Action for India’s Youth
Murthy called on young Indians to take greater responsibility for the country’s progress. “Human beings can think and express. When God has given us the ability to think, this behoves us to think about people less fortunate than us. It is to make sure that the rest of the world respects India. The rest of the world respects India for its performance. Performance leads to recognition, recognition leads to respect, respect leads to power,” he said.
He concluded by addressing productivity challenges, comparing India with China. “A gentleman here told me a Chinese worker is 3.5 times more productive than an Indian. It is very easy for us to write all kinds of nonsense and remain wretched, filthy, and poor and shunned by the world. Therefore, I don’t think we should say we are all comfortable and I will not go to the office. My request to all the people assembled here is to dedicate their lives to realising their value.”
Murthy’s stirring remarks serve as a reminder of the hard work and ambition required to drive India towards a prosperous future.
