N. R. Narayana Murthy and Infosys That Changed India Forever

Introduction

In the landscape of modern India, few names shine as brightly as Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy (N. R. Narayana Murthy), the co-founder of Infosys and one of the most influential visionaries in the IT revolution. From humble beginnings in Karnataka to becoming the “Father of the Indian IT sector,” Murthy’s journey is an inspirational saga of resilience, ethics, leadership, and nation-building.

His story is not just about building a billion-dollar company but also about creating opportunities, spreading global recognition for Indian talent, and showing the world how honesty and discipline can redefine business. Infosys, the company he co-founded in 1981 with just ₹10,000, went on to become a global IT powerhouse, employing lakhs of people and serving Fortune 500 clients across the world.

This article dives deep into N. R. Narayana Murthy’s biography, Infosys’ history, facts, FAQs, timeline, significance, and his lasting impact on society and daily life.

Biography of N. R. Narayana Murthy

• Full Name: Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy

• Born: 20 August 1946, Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (NIT Mysuru), Master’s degree in Technology (IIT Kanpur)

• Known As: Co-founder of Infosys, “Father of the Indian IT Industry”

• Spouse: Sudha Murthy (noted author, philanthropist, and Chairperson of Infosys Foundation)

• Children: Akshata Murthy (married to Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister) and Rohan Murthy

Murthy’s early years were marked by struggles, limited resources, and a passion for learning. After working in Patni Computer Systems, he joined hands with six other engineers to start Infosys in 1981. His vision was clear: to build a company based on ethics, excellence, and empowerment.

About Infosys – The Company

• Founded: 2 July 1981, Pune, India

• Founders: Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, S. Gopalakrishnan, S. D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, Ashok Arora, and N. S. Raghavan

• Initial Investment: ₹10,000 (borrowed from Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murthy)

• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

• Services: IT services, consulting, software development, outsourcing

• Global Reach: Operates in over 50 countries

• Employees: More than 3,30,000 (as of 2025)

• Revenue: $18+ billion annually

Infosys was one of the first Indian companies to be listed on NASDAQ in 1999. It symbolized India’s entry into the global technology marketplace.

History & Timeline of N. R. Narayana Murthy and Infosys

• 1946 – Murthy is born in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka.

• 1969 – Completes engineering from NIT Mysuru.

• 1972 – Finishes Master’s in Technology from IIT Kanpur.

• 1970s – Works in Indian Institute of Management and later in Patni Computers.

• 1981 – Co-founds Infosys with six colleagues in Pune.

• 1983 – Shifts headquarters to Bengaluru.

• 1993 – Infosys becomes a public limited company.

• 1999 – Listed on NASDAQ, symbolizing India’s IT boom.

• 2002 – Murthy steps down as CEO, becomes Chairman.

• 2011 – Retires, continues as Chairman Emeritus.

• 2013 – Returns briefly to guide Infosys during challenges.

• 2025 – Infosys stands as one of the top global IT firms with Murthy’s vision alive.

Inspiring Facts About Narayana Murthy & Infosys

1. Infosys was started in a small apartment in Pune with just ₹10,000.

2. Murthy is known for his “simple living, high thinking” lifestyle.

3. Infosys introduced employee stock options (ESOPs) in India, making many employees millionaires.

4. Murthy was once rejected by a top MNC job, which fueled his dream to build his own company.

5. His wife, Sudha Murthy, funded Infosys’ first seed capital.

6. Infosys was among the first Indian companies to provide transparent financial reporting.

7. Murthy emphasized value-based leadership, famously saying, “Performance leads to recognition, recognition leads to respect, and respect leads to power.”

8. Infosys has campuses like “mini-cities” with world-class infrastructure.

9. Murthy is known for being punctual and disciplined—qualities he expected from all Infosys employees.

10. His daughter Akshata Murthy’s marriage to Rishi Sunak connected Infosys’ legacy to global politics.

Significance of N. R. Narayana Murthy’s Journey

• For India: Showed the world that India could produce global IT leaders.

• For Entrepreneurs: Proved that ethics and success can go hand-in-hand.

• For Youth: Inspired millions of young engineers to pursue innovation.

• For Economy: Infosys helped create India’s $245+ billion IT industry.

• For Society: Through Infosys Foundation, the Murthy family has invested in education, healthcare, rural development, and women empowerment.

Observance & Wishing

On 20th August (Murthy’s birthday), many tech enthusiasts and Infosys employees celebrate his contributions.

Sample Wishes You Can Share:

• 🌟 “Happy Birthday to N. R. Narayana Murthy, the visionary who made India shine in IT!”

• 💡 “Wishing success and happiness to the man who proved that ethics and excellence can coexist – Narayana Murthy Ji!”

• 🙏 “May we all learn discipline, humility, and leadership from your inspiring life.”

FAQs

Q1. Who is N. R. Narayana Murthy?
A1. He is the co-founder of Infosys and a pioneer of India’s IT revolution.

Q2. When was Infosys founded?
A2. Infosys was founded on 2 July 1981 in Pune.

Q3. Who funded Infosys initially?
A3. Sudha Murthy, Narayana Murthy’s wife, funded the company with ₹10,000.

Q4. Why is Narayana Murthy important?
A4. He showed how vision, ethics, and leadership could transform India’s economy and global image.

Q5. Is Narayana Murthy still active in Infosys?
A5. He retired but continues as Chairman Emeritus, guiding Infosys with his wisdom.

Importance in Daily Life & Society

• Job Creation: Infosys provides lakhs of jobs to youth across India.

• Global Image: Elevated India’s image from a “third-world” country to a global tech hub.

• Ethical Leadership: Inspired leaders to prioritize integrity over shortcuts.

• Digital India: Contributed to India’s digital infrastructure and outsourcing economy.

• Philanthropy: Infosys Foundation improves rural schools, hospitals, and women empowerment programs.

Conclusion

N. R. Narayana Murthy is more than a successful entrepreneur; he is a teacher of values, a symbol of honesty, and a beacon of hope for young dreamers. His life proves that success does not come from shortcuts, but from patience, discipline, and ethics.

Infosys stands tall today not just because of its profits, but because of the values Murthy infused into its DNA. His story inspires us to dream big, live honestly, and always give back to society.

If you ever feel discouraged about starting small, remember the story of Infosys and Narayana Murthy – a ₹10,000 dream that became a global empire.