Early Life and Education
Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy was born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India. He came from a middle-class family, and his upbringing emphasized the value of education. Murthy showed a keen interest in mathematics and science from a young age, and his father was a school teacher, which further fueled his academic pursuits. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering in 1967, and later received a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1969.
Rise to Success
Murthy began his career at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and later joined Patni Computer Systems before co-founding Infosys in 1981 with six other software professionals. Starting with an initial capital of ₹10,000 provided by his wife, Sudha Murty, Infosys grew into a global IT giant under his leadership. Murthy served as CEO of Infosys from 1981 to 2002, and as chairman from 2002 to 2011. He stepped down from the board and became the chairman emeritus. Infosys was the first Indian company to be listed on an American stock exchange. During his tenure, Murthy implemented the Global Delivery Model, which revolutionized IT services outsourcing from India.
Key Business Strategies
Murthy's leadership was characterized by his focus on ethical business practices, transparency, and employee empowerment. He prioritized building a strong corporate governance framework and fostering a meritocratic culture within Infosys. His strategies involved attracting and retaining top talent, which contributed significantly to the company's success. Murthy is also known for his commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, which kept Infosys at the forefront of the IT industry.
Philanthropy
Murthy is involved in numerous charitable causes and associations. He serves on the boards of the Ford Foundation, the UN Foundation, the Indo-British Partnership, a trustee of the Infosys prize and as a trustee of the Rhodes Trust. He is also involved in the Public Health Foundation of India. His wife, Sudha Murty, is an author and philanthropist and chairs the Infosys Foundation.
