IIM Ahmedabad alumnus meets Narayana Murthy; Infosys founder shares fond memories

Reminiscing old memories of meeting Infosys founder NR Narayan Murthy, Prashant Girbane, director general, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) shared how Murthy taught him that anyone can have leadership qualities. Giving a reference to the car driver, Murthy told Girbane that a person can have multiple roles in his life, where he/she can serve in one role but become a leader in another by dealing with challenges faced by their family members, giving them hope, creating opportunities for them, and enabling their growth.

In a LinkedIn post, IIM Ahmedabad alumnus wrote, “I then asked him about leadership, and he emphasized that anyone can be a leader depending on the context. He gave an example of how a car driver can serve in one role but become a leader in another by dealing with challenges faced by their family members, giving them hope, creating opportunities for them, and enabling their growth.”

Girbane remembered how he met Narayan Murthy at a hotel in Pune for the 'Asia Economic Dialogue' by Pune International Centre and he was taken aback by the humility of Murthy that he had invited him and the hotel GM into his room.

“To break the ice, I brought up our common connection, #IIMA. Mr Murthy spoke about his reasons for joining IIMA after IITK and his work with Prof. Krishnayya at the System Research Institute in Pune. He shared fond memories of his time in Pune with his future wife, Sudha Kulkarni, visiting 'Chung Fa' in the camp area,” Girbane recalled having a conversation about both of them being from the same institution.

Murthy also spoke at length about how much he respects Prof. Krishnayya and how he always visits him when in Pune. “As Mr Murthy talked, we found ourselves engrossed in his stories. He spoke of his respect for Prof. Krishnayya and how he always visits him when in Pune. We mustered up the courage to ask him more questions, from his personal life to why he chose not to register Infosys in Maharashtra,” Girbane wrote.

When Murthy was talking about leadership, the hotel staff interrupted as he knocked on the door to deliver his dinner. “We thanked him, requested a quick photograph together as a memento, and took our leave. It was only when we stepped out of his room that we realized an hour had flown by, and it was already 9 pm.”

Also read: Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has this to say about moonlighting, work from home

Also read: Can AI take over human jobs? This is what Infosys founder NR Narayan Murthy thinks

Also read: Narayana Murthy used to reach Infosys office at 6:20 am every day; here’s why