Youth should imbibe strength of character: Narayana Murthy

Bangalore, Oct 19: IT icon N R Narayana Murthy today called upon the Indian youth to imbibe strength of character as for the first time in the country's history they had earned acceptability around the world due to sheer enthusiasm and confidence.

Addressing the youth at an Integrity India Campaign, organised by CII and Youth India at Christ College here, he said for the first time after independence, the world had taken note of the extraordinary abilities of the Indian youth and it was the best time to cash in on the good opinion.

Post independence, there were diffidence and skepticism among the youth but the present generation was a transformed one and had proved that they were world beaters, he added.

Mr Murthy said, ''it is time you get into the critical mass and escape like a rocket from the problems dogging the country like corruption, misery, greed and lethargy. You have a great responsibility to take the country ahead. You have to demonstrate to the world that you are the best.'' Mr Murthy quoted President A P J Abdul Kalam that the character of a child was shaped by parents and its teacher. With the country's youth on the verge of becoming responsible parents, there was an urgent need to make sure that children of the new generation were brought up an ideal manner.

''Make sure the child appreciates good values. Honesty always pays and it is for your own betterment, as well as that of the country, that you practice a clean, simple life and reject greed. By this you will succeed in inspiring and transforming the society,'' he added.

UNI