Early Life
Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy was born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India. He grew up in a middle-class Kannada-speaking family, and displayed a keen interest in mathematics and science from a young age. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, University of Mysore, in 1967, and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1969.
Rise to Success
Murthy's career began with a research associate position at IIM Ahmedabad, followed by a role as chief systems programmer. Later, he worked at Patni Computer Systems. In 1981, along with six other engineers, he co-founded Infosys with an initial investment of $250 (equivalent to $10,000 rupees). He served as the CEO of Infosys from 1981 to 2002, and as Chairman from 2002 to 2011, before becoming Chairman Emeritus. Under his leadership, Infosys pioneered the Global Delivery Model, which became a cornerstone of the Indian IT industry. Infosys went public in 1993, and in 1999, became the first Indian company listed on NASDAQ.
Key Business Strategies
Murthy emphasized a customer-centric approach and a culture of transparency, quality, and employee satisfaction. He also introduced the concept of a 24-hour workday to the world. His leadership was marked by ethical governance and employee empowerment, which made Infosys one of the best workplaces in India. Murthy also focused on innovation in technical, managerial, and leadership training.
Philanthropy
Murthy is involved in philanthropic efforts, primarily through the Infosys Foundation. The Infosys Foundation supports initiatives in education, healthcare, rural development, and art and culture. Details on specific amounts are difficult to pinpoint with the search results, but his and his wife's dedication to philanthropy is well-documented.