• Home
  • Social
  • N. R. Narayana Murthy: The Visionary Who Revolutionized India's IT Scenario

N. R. Narayana Murthy: The Visionary Who Revolutionized India's IT Scenario

His Infosys leadership established a benchmark for corporate governance and innovation, making him a global icon.

N. R. Narayana Murthy: The Visionary Who Revolutionized India's IT Scenario

N. R. Narayana Murthy, born on 20th August 1946 in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, is one of India's most powerful business leaders and the man behind Infosys, which played a major role in positioning India as a world IT power. He earned his bachelor's in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, in 1967 and a master's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 1969. He started his career as a Chief Systems Programmer at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad before shifting to Patni Computer Systems in Pune. But his real legacy started in 1981, when he along with six fellow colleagues founded Infosys with his wife Sudha Murty providing the intial funding of ₹10,000.



With Murthy as its leader, Infosys grew into a giant IT startup. During his tenure as CEO, from 1981 to 2002, he launched the Global Delivery Model that changed the business of IT outsourcing, and India became a hub for the industry. Infosys was the first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ in 1999, followed by other Indian IT companies. He also established employee stock options (ESOPs) in India, which facilitated wealth creation and employee empowerment. Murthy remained a chairman from 2002 to 2011 and then took over as chairman emeritus.


 

Murthy has also remained a force outside Infosys. His recent suggestion of a 70-hour workweek to improve India's economic productivity raised wide debate, indicating that he is not yet done with his efforts to influence the nation's work ethos.He continues to be a source of inspiration for young entrepreneurs, with emphasis on value creation in the long term and ethical corporate governance.

 


Personal life


Married to author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy, Murthy is also the father of entrepreneur Rohan Murthy and businesswoman Akshata Murthy, who is wedded to former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Although he has retired from active corporate positions, his influence on India's IT sector and corporate culture continues to shape the country's economic growth and technological advancement.

 

 

Awards & Honors


His work has been universally acclaimed in India's business world. In 2000, he was awarded the Padma Shri (India's fourth-highest civilian award) and in 2008, the Padma Vibhushan (India's second-highest civilian award). His impact internationally was also noted with France conferring on him the Legion of Honour in 2008. He is the Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 2007. He was also Ernst & Young's 2003 Entrepreneur of the Year and appeared on Fortune's Greatest Entrepreneurs of Our Time in 2012.

 


Ratan Tata: The Visionary Leader Who Shaped Indian Industry and Philanthropy

Ratan Tata: The Visionary Leader Who Shaped Indian Industry and Philanthropy

During his tenure, the Tata Group went international, buying brands such as Jaguar-Land Rover, Corus...
Top 10 Richest Women in India 2025: Pioneers and Top Entrepreneurs

Top 10 Richest Women in India 2025: Pioneers and Top Entrepreneurs

From Savitri Jindal, the businesswoman behind the steel empire, to Falguni Nayar, the beauty busines...
Mary Kom: The Undisputed Queen of Indian Boxing and a Trailblazer for Women in Sports

Mary Kom: The Undisputed Queen of Indian Boxing and a Trailblazer for Women in Sports

From humble beginnings in Manipur to becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic boxing medal,...
Manu Bhaker: India's Youngest Shooting Star and Olympic Medalist

Manu Bhaker: India's Youngest Shooting Star and Olympic Medalist

The 22-year-old shooter who became the youngest gold winner for India at an ISSF World Cup made hist...
Saina Nehwal: The Pioneering Shuttler Who Transformed Indian Badminton

Saina Nehwal: The Pioneering Shuttler Who Transformed Indian Badminton

From being the first Indian female player to win an Olympic badminton medal in 2012 to winning multi...
Neeraj Chopra: India's Javelin Jewel Who Conquered the World with Determination and Honesty

Neeraj Chopra: India's Javelin Jewel Who Conquered the World with Determination and Honesty

India's Olympic gold medalist and javelin star keeps breaking records with his world-class perfo...
Mukesh Ambani: The Visionary Leader Defining India's Business and Digital Future

Mukesh Ambani: The Visionary Leader Defining India's Business and Digital Future

Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director, continues to redefi...
Gautam Adani: The Rise, Controversies, and Global Influence of India's Business Tycoon

Gautam Adani: The Rise, Controversies, and Global Influence of India's Business Tycoon

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, is now among the most influential business magnates in In...
Joe Cocchiarelli: A Literary Journey Through Fiction, Film, and Cultural Commentary

Joe Cocchiarelli: A Literary Journey Through Fiction, Film, and Cultural Commentary

Joe Cocchiarelli is a retired academic and published author of fictlon and non-fiction. His most rec...