I Was Most Proud When Infosys...: Narayana Murthy On His Tech Firm's Biggest Achievement

While acknowledging his achievements, Murthy also acknowledged the absence of certain bold initiatives during his leadership

NR Narayana Murthy stands as a cornerstone figure in India's Information Technology (IT) sector, having established Infosys in 1981 and served as its CEO until 2002. Throughout its 43-year journey, Infosys has garnered numerous national and global accolades, solidifying its position as a software giant and a driving force in the IT industry. Reflecting on his tenure, Murthy expressed he felt most proud of Infosys' historic achievement when the tech firm became the first Indian company to be listed on the Nasdaq. Recounting the momentous occasion at the India Today Conclave 2024 on Friday, he reminisced about the significance of breaking new ground for Indian enterprises on the global stage.

While acknowledging his achievements, Murthy also acknowledged the absence of certain bold initiatives during his leadership. He attributed this to Infosys' commitment to democratic principles, suggesting that a departure from this ethos might have facilitated the pursuit of those ventures.

"I don't know if I have any regrets because right from day one, we operated as an enlightened democracy. There were certain highly daring things that we didn't do. We could have done them if we didn't operate like a true democracy. So, to some extent, maybe our growth was somewhat less than what we could have achieved. It's not a regret, but it's one," Murthy said.

In March 1999, Infosys made its landmark debut on the Nasdaq. In a statement accompanying the listing, Murthy highlighted the strategic significance of this move, emphasising its potential to enhance the company's ability to attract top talent and provide a platform for future acquisitions.

Murthy, along with great visionaries like Nandan Nilekani and Kris Gopalakrishnan, played a pivotal role in steering the company's growth and ensuring its enduring prominence among the nation's premier IT firms. The firm is not only one of the prominent faces in the Indian IT sector but also around the world.