(Image source from: Ndtv.com)
Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has defended his statement about working 70 hours a week, once again. During his visit to Kolkata, which he described as the most cultured place in India, Murthy said young people need to understand that they must work hard to make India a leading nation. Murthy mentioned that at Infosys, they aimed to compare themselves with the best global companies, and realized that Indians have a lot of work to do. He stated that since 800 million Indians receive free food rations, it means they are living in poverty, and if Indians are not willing to work hard, then who will? Murthy also shared his past experiences, recalling that he was once a Leftist when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and the Indian Institutes of Technology were established.
In the early 70s, Mr. Murthy had the opportunity to work in Paris. He found the West spoke of India as dirty and corrupt, while his own country faced poverty and poor infrastructure. However, he observed the West's prosperity and efficiency, which led him to question his previous beliefs in Nehru and socialism. After meeting the leader of the French Communist Party, he realized the government's limited role in entrepreneurship. He recognized that embracing capitalism could help a poor country like India develop better roads, trains, and infrastructure by enabling entrepreneurs to create jobs, wealth, and tax revenue.
He expressed his enthusiasm for visiting Kolkata, describing it as the most culturally rich place in the country. He associated Kolkata with renowned figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Amartya Sen. He took pride in India's ancient culture, spanning over 4,000 years, and its remarkable generosity. He advocated for "compassionate capitalism," combining the best aspects of liberalism and socialism to create a stellar model of capitalism.
He emphasized that human beings have the ability to think and express themselves, which compels us to consider the less fortunate. This, he believed, would ensure that the world respects India for its performance, leading to recognition, respect, and ultimately, power. He urged the youth to fulfill the vision of the country's founding fathers, which requires diligent effort from all.
An Indian person is 3.5 times less productive than the billionaire. It is simple for us to write meaningless things and stay in a miserable, dirty, and poor state, rejected by others. Therefore, the billionaire believes we should not claim to be content, and he will not stop working. The billionaire urges the people present to devote their lives to recognizing their true worth.
