Infosys has become a global brand name, well respected for the leadership role it has played especially in the Information & Technology sector. More importantly, it has also brought about high standard of corporate ethics and responsibility and today it is known not just as a billion dollar software firm but also as a role model institution. For a developing country like India it is the success stories of companies like Infosys, which has given not just market value but global recognition to the country’s growing economy. And Infosys is not just any company. It is a rare jewel in the crown of emerging India, something that the country can be proud of. At a time when the world’s largest democracy is grappling with corruption and governance deficit, a company like Infosys can show the way through the best practices it has evolved to be what it is today—a well respected global institution. Due credit for this should go to its founder, chief mentor and Chairman NR Narayan Murthy. In fact Mr Murthy is one of the few role models that India has at the moment. His work ethics, sincerity and vision have been exemplary. It is no wonder that Infosys is what it is today because of the leadership of Mr Murthy.
Of course it will be unfair to always blame our politicians for all the ills in our country because they also have to work within a corrupt system. Someone like Mr Murthy or a Ratan Tata may also find it difficult to work in the government. To change our present system is therefore what is needed. And we need to look at the way how an institution like Infosys is being run and managed. The government should engage with people like Mr Murthy as he has many things to contribute for the good and welfare of the people and not to forget help in improving our system. We need to learn from the honesty, simplicity and selflessness of Mr Murthy and his ilk. In fact after rendering more than 30 years of service to Infosys, the company founded and nurtured by him, Mr Murthy has given up his position and job at the top and he will now be the chairman emeritus. Now why would someone whose own company is worth billions of dollars give up everything and leave? It may be difficult to know the answer to such a strange question but nevertheless it is such kind of selflessness which makes people, institutions and their mission in life great.
Closer home, all of us will recall similar sacrifice and selflessness shown by another institution builder Rev. Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak, Founder & Principal Emeritus who left his position and top job at Patkai Christian College. After having done all the hard work and sacrifice Mr Shishak left to start another mission—to provide education in far away Shangshak (Ukhrul). The two gentlemen (there are others too), their visions, values, selflessness and the impact of their works are indeed similar. We need people like NR Narayan Murthy and Rev Tuisem A Shishak to be a beacon of hope for the future. Although their religion, culture, vocation or missions are complete opposites, yet the underlying premise of their work remain the same—integrity, hard work, conviction and simply to give the best without looking at glory. In their own worlds one is a software industry icon while the other is an education icon—both institution builders and worthy of emulation.
Of course it will be unfair to always blame our politicians for all the ills in our country because they also have to work within a corrupt system. Someone like Mr Murthy or a Ratan Tata may also find it difficult to work in the government. To change our present system is therefore what is needed. And we need to look at the way how an institution like Infosys is being run and managed. The government should engage with people like Mr Murthy as he has many things to contribute for the good and welfare of the people and not to forget help in improving our system. We need to learn from the honesty, simplicity and selflessness of Mr Murthy and his ilk. In fact after rendering more than 30 years of service to Infosys, the company founded and nurtured by him, Mr Murthy has given up his position and job at the top and he will now be the chairman emeritus. Now why would someone whose own company is worth billions of dollars give up everything and leave? It may be difficult to know the answer to such a strange question but nevertheless it is such kind of selflessness which makes people, institutions and their mission in life great.
Closer home, all of us will recall similar sacrifice and selflessness shown by another institution builder Rev. Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak, Founder & Principal Emeritus who left his position and top job at Patkai Christian College. After having done all the hard work and sacrifice Mr Shishak left to start another mission—to provide education in far away Shangshak (Ukhrul). The two gentlemen (there are others too), their visions, values, selflessness and the impact of their works are indeed similar. We need people like NR Narayan Murthy and Rev Tuisem A Shishak to be a beacon of hope for the future. Although their religion, culture, vocation or missions are complete opposites, yet the underlying premise of their work remain the same—integrity, hard work, conviction and simply to give the best without looking at glory. In their own worlds one is a software industry icon while the other is an education icon—both institution builders and worthy of emulation.
