Narayana Murthy is an Indian IT industrialist best known as the co-founder of Infosys, a global leader in business consulting, technology and outsourcing services.
Born in a small town in Karnataka, India, Murthy pioneered the Indian IT revolution, leading Infosys from a modest startup to a multinational giant.
His influence extended beyond business to social impact and philanthropy, earning him global recognition as a thought leader in compassionate capitalism.
His journey to fame began in 1981 when he and six others founded Infosys with minimal capital, eventually turning it into one of India’s most successful and respected companies.
File
- Full name: Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy
- Date of birth: August 20, 1946
- Age: 78 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Industrialist, businessman, philanthropist
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Father – N. Rama Rao; Mother – Padavathamma Murthy
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Sudha Murthy
- Children: Akshata Murthy, Rohan Murty
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Hinduism
- Ethnicity: Indian
- Net worth: $2.47 billion
Early life and education
Narayana Murthy, aged 78, was born on August 20, 1946 in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka. He grew up in a modest middle-class family.
His father, N. Rama Rao, was a high school teacher, and his mother, Padavathamma Murthy, was a homemaker.
Murthy is very interested in academics, especially mathematics and physics. His family’s financial limitations influenced his early decisions about education.
Although he was admitted to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), financial difficulties prevented him from enrolling.
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering (Mysore) in 1967.
He continued his further education with a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur) in 1969.
Personal life
Narayana Murthy’s personal life is as fascinating as his career journey. He met Sudha Murthy, an engineer, through a common friend, Prasanna, in Pune.
After meeting a few times, Murthy proposed to her, frankly explaining his background and modest aspirations.
Despite Sudha’s father’s initial reservations, they marry in a modest ceremony. The couple shares two children: Rohan Murty, a technology entrepreneur, and Akshata Murthy, married to British politician Rishi Sunak.
Career
Murthy started as a research associate at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, working on India’s first time-sharing computer system.
He then joined Patni Computer Systems as general manager. In 1981, Murthy founded Infosys with six fellow software engineers and a capital of ₹10,000, borrowed from his wife.
The company initially faced many challenges, including a failed joint venture in the late 1980s, but Murthy’s leadership helped Infosys become one of India’s largest IT services companies.
Infosys made history as the first Indian company to list on NASDAQ in 1999. Murthy served as CEO from 1981 to 2002 and as Chairman until his retirement in 2011.
He briefly returned as Executive Chairman in 2013 before stepping down in 2014, assuming the title of Chairman Emeritus.
His influence in IT and business has extended globally, as he has also served on the boards of major companies such as HSBC and Unilever.
prize
- 2000: Padma Shri, Government of India
- 2003: Ernst & Young Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- 2007: Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- 2008: Padma Vibhushan, Government of India
- 2008: Officer of the Legion of Honor, French Government
- 2013: Philanthropist of the Year, Asia Awards
- 2022: Kempegowda Award
Net worth
Narayana Murthy’s net worth is estimated to be around $2.47 billion. He accumulated this fortune mainly through Infosys, which has grown into one of the largest IT services companies globally.
His strategic leadership and innovation in the IT sector played a key role in Infosys’ success. His wealth also comes from investments in various startups and ventures.
Argumentative
Narayana Murthy has faced many controversies throughout his career. In 2013, the US government fined Infosys $34 million for visa fraud, specifically for illegally using B-1 visa holders to perform skilled labor for H-1B visa holders.
This is one of the largest fines imposed on an Indian company in the US market, temporarily damaging Infosys’ reputation.
In 2017, Murthy publicly criticized the Infosys board of directors for errors in corporate governance, leading to the resignation of CEO Vishal Sikka.
Murthy alleged that Sikka’s management lacked transparency and accountability, leading to a public battle between Murthy and the Infosys board.
The controversy raises questions about leadership at Infosys, although the company continues to grow despite the turmoil.
For years, Murthy has spoken out on ethics and corporate governance, sometimes clashing with other board members and executives at Infosys. However, his integrity in the IT field is still widely respected.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
Book
- A better India: A better world
- Blue Skies: Stories and Poems of Conflict and Hope
- Behtar Bharat, Behtar Duniya
