Early Life
N. R. Narayana Murthy was born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India. Growing up in a middle-class family, he developed a strong interest in mathematics and science. His father, a school teacher, instilled in him the values of hard work and honesty. Murthy completed his schooling in Karnataka, laying the foundation for his future academic and professional endeavors.
Rise to Success
Murthy's career began after earning a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, University of Mysore, in 1967, followed by a master's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1969. His early career included roles at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Patni Computer Systems. In 1981, Murthy, along with six other engineers, co-founded Infosys with an initial investment of Rs 10,000 provided by his wife, Sudha Murty. He served as CEO of Infosys from 1981 to 2002, and then as Chairman until 2011. Under his leadership, Infosys became a global leader in IT services. Infosys was the first Indian company to be listed on an American stock exchange.
Key Business Strategies
Murthy championed the Global Delivery Model, which became a foundation for the success of IT services outsourcing from India. He is known for setting high standards in corporate governance, transparency, and ethics. Murthy emphasized the importance of employee training and development, creating a culture of learning and innovation within Infosys. He also promoted the value of underpromising and overdelivering to build strong client relationships.
Philanthropy
Murthy and his wife, Sudha Murty, are well-known for their philanthropic efforts through the Infosys Foundation. The Foundation supports initiatives in healthcare, education, rural development, and other areas. His commitment to giving back is evident in his quote: "The real power of money is the power to give it away."