I am an average guy, says Narayana Murthy of Infosys

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Addressing his last annual general meeting (AGM), Infosys Chairman N R Narayana Murthy on Saturday described himself as an average guy with ‘many below-average attributes’, and said his life story should encourage ordinary people who want to make a difference in the world.

"As I close, I thank God, this country, this world, family, relatives and friends for helping me - an average person with many below-average attributes - to add whatever little value I have to this country and to the world," Murthy, who is also the chief mentor of the company, said.

The software industry icon, who was given a standing ovation at his address on the company's 30th AGM, said, "My life story should be a confidence booster for every average person in the world that he or she can indeed make a difference at least in a small way to this world."

He said the Infosys journey had been an integral part of his life.

"My colleagues say that Infosys is an inseparable part of me and I am an inseparable part of Infosys. I have been the number one actor in every major decision taken in the company so far. I have rejoiced in every significant milestone of the company. I have commiserated in every false step that this company has taken," Murthy said.

"The best analogy that I can think of, for this separation between Infosys and me, is that of one's daughter getting married and leaving her parents' home. Yes,the parents will be there when she needs them and they will be happy that she is starting a new life in an exciting new environment", he added.

Murthy, however, said he feels sad that the company has been issued court summons in the US on the B-1 visa issue.

"As I leave the board, I feel sad that Infosys, voted most often as India's most-respected company during the period 1995-2011, has been issued a subpoena by a grand jury in the US on B-1 Visa issue. The issue will be decided on its merits in due course," he said.

Naryan Murthy, who would take over as company Chairman- -Emeritus after his term as Chairman of the board concludes on August 20 this year, said this was the time for Infosys to continue and strengthen its focus on embracing meritocracy, transparency and openness of discussions and consultations with competent colleagues.

He added there should be a thrust on communicating the importance of values at every level in the organisation, besides benchmarking with "the global best in every dimension, encourage innovation at every level to perform at global levels; and create a worthwhile vision and improve every day".

"This is how our mantra of focusing on speed, imagination and excellence in execution will take this company very far," he said.

Murthy founded Infosys in 1981 along with six others with a paltry capital of USD 250. The country's second biggest software services company now generates revenues in excess of USD six billion and has employee strength of 1,30,820.

Noting that the company is completing 30th years of its operations this year, he said, "Going from the first major client win of Data Basics Corporation to 600-plus clients today, and from a small rented office space in Pune to over 60 development centres worldwide occupying over 27 million square feet has been exhilarating as well as humbling."