Speaker: Wife of Narayan Murthy, founder of Infosys
Background: Author of children books, previous chairman of Infosys Foundation.
Early Days of Infosys
Founding Belief: Did not expect Infosys to become a large company; faith in Narayan Murthy’s sincerity and hard work.
Foundation Work: Proud of the work done during disasters, including COVID-19, helping millions.
COVID Response: Launched initiatives during the pandemic, provided hospitals and ambulances, supporting communities.
Challenges Faced
Early Financial Struggles: Rented office; faced difficulties in securing clients.
Employee Care: Example of ensuring salaries during Diwali despite financial challenges; gave jewelry to bank for loan to pay employees.
Personal Sacrifice: Illustrated stories of personal investment in the company and family while supporting Infosys.
Finance and Loans
Initial Funding Issues: Struggled to explain the concept of software to bankers; faced rejection for loans.
Innovative Solutions: Used own resources to showcase belief in software and the company’s vision.
Personal Reflections
Philosophy on Life: Focus on work ethic rather than wealth; belief in hard work and sincerity over financial gain.
Importance of Transparency: Highlighted the significance of being transparent in business dealings, which led to credibility and support during philanthropic efforts.
Philanthropic Journey
Influence of Tata's Philanthropy: Inspired by Tata's legacy of philanthropy, leading to the establishment of Infosys Foundation in 1996.
Daughter's Influence: Akshata urged speaker to engage in philanthropy, leading to a deeper understanding of societal issues.
Foundation Achievements: Provided support for social issues, education, and women empowerment, tackling poverty and infrastructure problems.
Key Principles of Leadership
Employee Welfare: Belief that employees are assets; focus on wealth distribution, not just accumulation.
Ethical Standards: Importance of maintaining ethical practices in business and philanthropy.
Commitment to Hard Work: Emphasized that success follows those who work for the right reasons, not just for personal gain.
Conclusion
Legacy of Infosys: A company built on principles of employee care, transparency, and ethical practices.
Ongoing Responsibility: Acknowledgment of the need to continue working for societal welfare and upliftment.