Narayana Murthy’s Humble Lessons: A Unique Encounter at Kolkata’s Techno India University
In a remarkable confluence of ideals and intellect, Kolkata’s Techno India University recently experienced a rare event as NR Narayana Murthy, the esteemed founder of Infosys, graced the institution’s convocation ceremony with his presence. Amid the celebratory academic atmosphere, an authentic interaction unfolded, shedding light on Murthy’s humility and profound insights.
Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, the Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of Techno India Group, took to Instagram to recount their meeting, underscoring Murthy’s unwavering commitment to simplicity and dedication.
Roy Chowdhury shared that when Murthy was invited as the chief guest for the convocation, he sought to ensure that the 76-year-old’s journey, spanning four hours, would be smooth and seamless. Roy Chowdhury intended to secure business class tickets for Murthy and the adjacent seats on the flight to prevent any interruptions or inconveniences. However, Murthy turned down these arrangements, emphasizing his priorities.
Refusing business class tickets and luxury car services, Murthy’s sole request was to spend quality time with the students. He stated, “Please don’t send me business class tickets or any fancy car. I don’t need a room in a 5-star hotel to freshen up. I’ll come for the convocation and spend a few hours with you all and the students. Let’s focus on that.”
Roy Chowdhury noted that Murthy’s only concern was the time lost during the commute from the airport to the venue, as he regretted not having those minutes to interact with the students.
Ahead of the convocation, Murthy shared a vegetarian lunch with Roy Chowdhury and his French wife, Pauline Laravoire. During this intimate meal, Roy Chowdhury was pleasantly surprised to discover Murthy’s fluency in French, a language Murthy had embarked upon learning nearly fifty years ago during his tenure in France. Despite acknowledging a bit of rustiness due to lack of practice, Murthy’s proficiency was unmistakable. The conversation encompassed topics ranging from politics and democracy, particularly in Bengal, to professionalism, ethics, and faith.
When Murthy addressed the students during the convocation ceremony, his insights extended to the realm of democracy. He emphasized that democracy flourishes in an environment of pluralism, where citizens are free to practice their beliefs and faith without imposing them on others. Murthy expressed his belief that for democracy to thrive in India, a collective mindset should highlight commonalities rather than differences.
As the day drew to a close and Murthy found himself running slightly behind schedule, Roy Chowdhury half-jokingly suggested booking a charter flight. However, Murthy, with a serious demeanour, declined, stating that such a lavish arrangement would not align with his values.
Throughout the day, Murthy engaged individually with anyone who approached him, patiently obliging everyone with photographs. Roy Chowdhury’s takeaway from the encounter encapsulated Murthy’s philosophy: “We must all aspire to lead professional lives which are not tainted by personal or familial attachments. One should uphold professionalism, discipline, hard work, honesty, and open-mindedness at the heart of their career.”
The convocation itself saw around 4,200 students receiving their degrees. Eminent figures such as former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, industrialist Ratan Tata, actor Sushmita Sen, musician Kavita Krishnamurthy, and author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay were conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters degrees. While Tata, Ganguly, and Sen were unable to attend the event in person, they conveyed their well-wishes through video messages, contributing to the overall celebratory spirit of the occasion.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 13th August 2023
