Rebirth: Split in Infosys management, stock stable

Bangalore, Mar 16: The Vishwa Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada Summit) was recently held at Belgaum. It had its share of controversies starting from the inauguration ceremony. Infosys co-founder, Chief Mentor NR Narayana Murthy (NRN) is very dear to Kannadigas. He and other companies like Wipro brought India on the world's software map. NRN has always been known for his simplicity and transparency. He brought a new standard in the corporate governance.

Unfortunately, many have tried to target NRN, luckily unsuccessfully. Well-known Kannada writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa was against NRN inaugurating the World Kannada Summit because according to him NRN is anti-Kannada. NRN mentioned few days ago that he converses in Kannada even in the corporate world.

Kannada Rakshana Vakilara Vedike, an organization to protect Kannada, sued NRN in 2007 for insulting the national anthem. The honorable Karnataka High Court threw the case out of the window. It is surprising nobody has sued Infosys for not writing code in Kannada.

In Belgaum, he told the audience if god gave him a wish, he would ask for his re-birth in Karnataka. He recited the a phrase written by
Kannada's first poet-laureate, Pampa "Maridumbiyaagi maen kogileyaagi puttupudu karnata deshdol (I want to be born in Karnataka as a small bee or a nightingale)."

Infosys Human resources director and former CFO, T Mohandas Pai does not share the same views of NRN about Karnataka. Pai is known for being very bold in expressing his views, never hesitates in calling a spade a spade. Pai speaking at the same seminar said there is rampant corruption in Karnataka and industries are forced to flee the state. In fact many prefer to go to Gujarat which is known for being corruption free and industry friendly. This adds to the Karnataka govt embarrassment because Gujarat too has a BJP govt.

Mohandas Pai slammed the Karnataka government for being very rigid in sectors like education. He said many in Karnataka don't have clean drinking water. Lately in Bangalore few localities are getting water which is brown or black in color. He attacked the policies of the government which are totally unfriendly to the industries. Looks like Mr Mohandas Pai may not share the same enthusiasm of being reborn in Karnataka.

While the view of the state differs (rightfully) amongst the top management in Infosys, the stock seems to be doing fine.

We, however, would like all Karnataka entrepreneurs who have created so many jobs to be back in Karnataka in their next birth.