Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Acknowledges Mistake in Keeping Wife Sudha Murty Out of Company
During an interview with CNBC-TV18, Narayana Murthy, the founder of tech giant Infosys, admitted that he made an error in not allowing his wife, Sudha Murty, to join the company. Murthy stated that his wife was, in fact, more qualified than him and the other six founders of Infosys.
The 77-year-old entrepreneur attributed his decision to being wrongly idealistic during those times and having the belief that family members should not be involved in the company. He expressed concern over potential violations of laws and improper corporate governance when children were given positions of power within the organization.
However, Murthy later had a discussion with philosophy professors who disagreed with his viewpoint. They argued that as long as the person, whether it be a wife, son, or daughter, possessed merit and followed standard procedures, they should be allowed to join the company. These conversations convinced Murthy that his initial position was incorrect and that he had wrongly denied his wife the opportunity.
Murthy admitted that his decision was influenced by the prevailing environment of those days. Sudha Murty, who is now a philanthropist and author, reminisced about the early days of Infosys, stating that she never anticipated the initial investment of Rs 10,000 she made would eventually turn into billions of dollars. She jokingly referred to herself as perhaps the best investor in India.
While Sudha Murty understood the reasoning behind her husband’s request, she revealed that her heart did not agree, as she had a strong desire to work. She respected his decision and ultimately stepped back from joining Infosys, recognizing it would be best for their family. She described Narayana Murthy as steadfast and resolute in his decision-making, whether right or wrong.
During the interview, Narayana Murthy also addressed the controversy surrounding his appeal to Indian youth to work 70 hours a week. He defended his statement, arguing that many Indians, including farmers and factory workers, already worked extremely hard. He stated that those who received discounted education owed it to less fortunate citizens to put in extra effort.
While Murthy faced backlash over his advice last year, he maintained that he received support from good people and NRIs (non-resident Indians) who agreed with his perspective.
In reflection, Narayana Murthy’s acknowledgment of his mistake in not allowing Sudha Murty to join Infosys highlights the evolving understanding of corporate governance and family involvement in businesses. His realization comes years after their decision, serving as a reminder of the importance of reevaluating long-held beliefs for the sake of personal and professional growth.
(Note: This response has been generated using AI technology. The content has been edited for clarity.)
