Narayana Murthy to step down as Infosys Chairman on August 20

Bangalore, June 10 (UNI) Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy today said he will relinquish both the posts on his attaining 60 years of age on August 20.

Speaking to newspersons here after participating in the company's 25th Annual General Meeting, he, however, said he would continue to function in the capacity as Non-Executive Chairman, provided the Board of Directors approved it at its meeting on July 11, the day when his successor would be finalised. ''My commitment to the company will continue. However, the youths in the company will take over the mantle,'' he added.

To a question, Mr Murthy said he felt that women, who constituted 27.3 per cent of the total employee strength, should play a key role in shaping up the future of Infosys by accepting positions at the senior management level.

Asked whether he would enter politics, he replied in the negative, saying that he was not cut out for that role. ''I am not interested and I will not enter politics,'' he added.

Infosys Managing Director and CEO Nandan M Nilekani, who was also present, said the Board of Directors would like to have Mr Murthy continue as their Chairman.

Parrying a query on whether he was ready to don the mantle of Chief Mentor and Chairman, he said the Directors would love to have the benefit of Mr Murthy's insight, capacity and guidance.

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