India can create jobs through ideas and enterprise: Narayana Murthy

India can create jobs through ideas and enterprise, which is the only way for the country to become a developed nation in the future, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy said at the 17th Anniversary and University Day of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). 

Murthy, the distinguished chief guest at the event, was speaking on “Ethical Leadership, Transformative Growth & Technology - The Infosys Story & the Future of India”. He stressed the importance of values, integrity and ethical leadership in building institutions and shaping the next generation of professionals. 

“It is important to note that everything we do in our lives is the result of the culture instilled in us through family values, peers and our environment as hard work, honesty, respect, and integrity must come before personal gain. We need to ensure that younger colleagues follow good principles and that every decision they take brings respect from society and stakeholders,” Murthy said. 

‘The softest pillow is a clear conscience’ 

Addressing students at JGU, Murthy said ethical conduct should be the benchmark for decision-making. “The softest pillow is a clear conscience,” he said. “It’s very simple to do the right thing if you set it as the benchmark.” 

Recalling his early years at university, Murthy said he was raised in a value system that emphasised the importance of earning the respect of society. He said such respect remains one of the most satisfying outcomes of an entrepreneurial journey. 

He also spoke about his experience with failure, recalling that his first company did not succeed before he went on to establish Infosys. 

“Failure is like a series of steps towards success. If you learn lessons from it and do not repeat those mistakes, then you can overcome failure. You should not get demotivated by failure into inaction. Scientists and researchers do not give up if they do not get results. They are trained to introspect and start again. You need to think rationally with concentration and then succeed,” he told students. 

JGU stresses values, institutional responsibility 

In his opening address, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, said institutions are sustained not merely by resources, rankings or reputation but by values and a culture of integrity. “It is my honour to welcome Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys, who has demonstrated through his own extraordinary journey how a world-class institution can be built in India and earn global respect. O.P. Jindal Global University has a similar vision: institutions are sustained not only by buildings, resources, rankings or reputations. They are sustained by values and they endure when integrity becomes institutional culture, when excellence becomes habit and when leadership becomes responsibility,” Kumar said. 

He said JGU sought to renew India's historic place in the global world of ideas and knowledge. Kumar also highlighted the university's responsibility towards future generations, drawing a parallel with the principle of inter-generational equity in sustainable development. “We, at JGU today, are custodians of something that belongs not only to us but also to generations whom we may never meet,” he said. 

Infosys and JGU share institution-building vision 

Prof. Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, JGU, said Murthy's presence at the University Day brought together two institution-building journeys—Infosys and JGU. 

“Today's gathering brings together two founding stories. One began with the aspiration to create a globally respected technology enterprise. The other began with the aspiration to create a globally respected university. Infosys became a symbol of how values, integrity, professionalism, and excellence can create institutions that inspire trust across the world,” Patnaik said. 

Introducing the chief guest, Prof. R. Sudarshan, Dean, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, highlighted Murthy's role in building a globally recognised institution and his contribution to nation building. 

He also referred to the philanthropic initiatives undertaken by Murthy and his family, including efforts towards the preservation and promotion of knowledge and learning. 

“Padma Vibhushan Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy is an example of what vision, ideas, innovation and hard work can achieve through ethical leadership. He carries forward the philosophy that what you create is held in trusteeship for the greater public good,” Sudarshan said.