Narayana Murthy salutes authors of economic reforms

Mysore, July 30: Hitting out at the critics of economic reforms in the country, Infosys Chief Mentor and Chairman N R Narayana Murthy today said Infosys stood as a shining example of the economic reforms that was introduced in 1991.

In his opening remarks at the silver jubilee celebrations of the company here, he said ''it is a company that has created 55,000 plus high quality, high disposable income jobs, contributed more than US dollars two billion a year to our exports, raised the image of India by conducting business legally and ethically and of course by earning many laurels abroad as (company CEO) Nandan (Nilekani) pointed out.'' Saluting the authors of economic reforms, Mr Murthy said ''by celebrating this 25th year of Infosys, we are celebrating the success of the architects of economic reforms of India and the courage, aspiration, enthusiasm, energy and hard work of every one of Infoscions and ex-employees.'' He said let the critics of India's economic reforms realise by this shining example that there was no alternative to creation of jobs to solve the problem of poverty. Let them understand by this noble example that there was no alternative to high aspirations, courage, confidence and excellence in execution in competing with the global best to leave a better society for the future generation.

Mr Murthy personally recalled the efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and said while Dr Singh had inaugurated the Mysore Global Education Centre some time ago, Mr Chidambaram and Mr Ahluwalia were here to participate in the silver jubilee functions.

Referring to the birth pangs of the organisation, he recalled that he had to wait at the entrance of RBI for several months to obtain part of his hard earned Dollars to support his six other co-founders. This was an experience that he could not forget and ''would not wish it for any body else''.

Mr Murthy told the Infoscions that the company had bigger challenges and rewards ahead of it. ''Aspirations, courage, principles, innovation and relentless focus on execution will carry you all to that great success that you all want to achieve,'' he added.

UNI