Thought Provoking
One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big
advice on the door on which it was written:
“Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this
company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room
that has been prepared in the gym”.
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their
colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know
who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the
company itself.
The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered
to control the crowd within the room.
The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated
up.
Everyone thought: “Who is this guy who was hindering my progress?
Well, at least he died!”.
One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when
they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood
nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched
the deepest part of their soul.
There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it
could see himself.
There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:
“There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your
growth: IT IS YOU.
You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the
only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and
your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.
Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends
change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when
your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go
beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only
one responsible for your life.
“The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have
with yourself”
Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don’t be afraid of difficulties,
impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your
reality.
The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection
of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed.
The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin,
which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to
imagine and create his happiness and his success.
It’s the way you face Life that makes the difference!
- If an egg is broken from outside force .. life ends. If an egg is broken from inside force , life begins. Great things always begin from our inside..
Natioanal Youth Day - 12 January
0 Comments Published by uttishthata December 5th, 2007 in VivekanandaDear friends,
As you know 12 January is celebrated as National Youth Day which is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, we are planning to organize a youth camp to commemorate this day. This year we are planning to do things on a larger scale such as Exhibition on the life of Swami Vivekananda, distributing booklets on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda to students who will visit this exhibition and our camp.
As earlier years this year also our venue will be Elgin-Chowragee Crossing, besides P.C. Chandra Jewelers, Kolkata.
We invite our Kolkata friends to participate in this program. Please contact for further details our representative and PR Executive Sri Manjit Singh Dada through e-mail – manjitdada@gmail.com or talk to him on his mobile - (0)9830350723.
We request our friends in other cities to conduct such programs for the local youth. We shall provide necessary guidance.
Those who are unable to participate personally but very much enthusiastic about the
success of this program can support us financially. Please go to our website http://www.uttishthata.org where you will find button for “Make a Donation” on the left pane or top right hand side of the title bar of out web page.
Cheques, Bank Demand Drafts, Money Orders also are equally appreciated. For these our postal address is:
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Foundation
18B Rammohan Dutta Road
Kolkata 700020, West Bengal, INDIA
Mobile: 9830350723
E mail : svcf@hotmail.com
Your whole hearted support will encourage us to conduct this program successfully.
We also invite your suggestions on this. Any one of you who is already participating in such programs wants to share his experience with us? We shall be highly obliged.
Yours in the service of Swami Vivekananda
Rajan, Moderator
Quotes of Swami Vivekananda in posters:
Journey of the Upanishads to the West
0 Comments Published by uttishthata October 1st, 2007 in Wisdom From VedantaProfessor of Political Science University of Burdwan
Swami Tathagatananda. The Vedanta Society of New York, 34 West 71st Street, New York, NY 10023. 2002.
Further, Socrates (469-399 BC) had occasion to meet an Indian philosopher in course of roaming on the streets of Athens and was greatly moved by the latter’s Upanishadic observation that humans - the relative - could be properly understood only in the light of an understanding of the Divine - the Absolute.
The Indian influence is most discernible in the writings of Plato. His ‘myth of the cave’ reflecting the Vedantic doctrine of maya, his concept of nous showing its similarity to the Upanishadic concept of Atman and his idea of omniscience, somewhat similar to jnana yoga, the way of knowledge in the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita - all indicate the influence of Indian Upanishadic and religious thought on Plato. Indeed, Max Muller was startled to note the similarity between Plato’s language and that of the Upanishads. And Urwick went to the length of observing that most of Plato’s Republic was a paraphrasing of Indian ideas…
The crucial initial role in bringing about the expansion of India’s spiritual culture to France was played in the year 1671 by a French traveller to India by the name of Francis Bernier, who brought to France in that year the Persian translation of fifty Upanishads made by Prince Dara Shukoh in 1656. The French interest in India’s spiritual literature, awakened by this event, received a boost when Voltaire received the gift of a copy of the Yajur Veda in 1760, which he regarded as the most precious ‘for which the West was ever indebted to the East’. The distinguished French philosopher Victor Cousin (1792-1867) poured his heart’s reverence for the Vedanta philosophy of India by acknowledging it as the highest philosophy that mankind had ever produced… Among the German scholars who played the pivotal role in promoting the journey of the Upanishads to the West, Friedrich Von Schelling (1775-1854), Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), Friedrich Max Muller (1823-1900) and Paul Deussen (1854-1919) deserve special mention. Schelling’s admiration for the Upanishads followed from his study of the Oupnek’hat. He was so charmed by the ideas of the Upanishads that he wanted their widest possible circulation in Germany and to that end he set Max Muller to the task of translating a portion of the Upanishads.Schopenhauer, whose The World as Will and Idea was influenced by the Chandogya Upanishad, held that the Upanishads were the most beneficial and elevating study that the world had ever produced and that ‘it has been the solace of my life, it will be the solace of my death’…
The services that England gave to the cause of Indic studies through scholars such as Sir William Jones (1746-94) and others that followed him were glorious by all means. Jones founded the Asiatic Society in Calcutta in 1784. Under his able guidance, Indic studies in general and Vedic studies in particular received an organized focus and direction. ‘One correct version of any celebrated Hindu book would be of greater value than all the dissertations or essays that could be composed on the same subject,’ stated Jones, who also asserted that ‘without detracting from the “never-fading laurels of Newton” the whole of Newton’s theology and part of his philosophy were to be found in the Vedas and other Indian works.’ Known for his 6-volume Works, Jones’ English translation of the Ishavasya Upanishad was also the first translation of any Upanishad into a European language.Sir Charles Wilkins (1750-1836), known for his memorable contributions to the research of the Asiatic Society, was the first to bring out a translation of the Gita into a European language. ‘The essence of the Hindu thought, as elegantly and concisely put forth in the Bhagavad Gita, was disseminated throughout all of Europe thanks to Wilkins’ translation…
The popular notion is that Vedanta made its journey to America for the first time through Swami Vivekananda in 1893 with the message he broadcast at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in September 1893. But the ground for the reception of such a message was prepared during the nineteenth century by the American transcendentalists such as Ralph W Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman. The transcendentalists’ basic message that life was not limited to the five senses and that the individual ego was to be transcended for knowing truth, ultimately went back to the Upanishads. Emerson, the first prominent American to embrace Indian thought, received the gift of a copy of the Bhagavadgita (the English translation of Charles Wilkins) from Carlyle and made this most inspiring book his lifelong companion. Among the Upanishads it was the Katha Upanishad that influenced him most. His comments on the ‘Over-Soul’ showed his awareness of the Upanishadic concept of the Paramatman. His poems ‘The Celestial Love’ and ‘Wood-Notes’ reflected his knowledge of the immanence of the supreme Being. Above all, his poem ‘Brahma’ indicated his profound harmony with the Indian scriptures. Indeed, in this poem ‘American Vedantism’, as Tathagatananda puts it, ‘reached its highest level’. (431)Thoreau stood on an equal footing with Emerson as an avatara of Indian wisdom in the United States. By his own acknowledgement, he acquired such wisdom from his study of the Vedas. As he said, ‘What extracts from the Vedas I have read fall on me like a light of a higher and purer luminary.’ (441) Ex Oriente Lux (’light from the East’) was the proclaimed motto of Thoreau’s life.
Whitman’s compositions, especially his Leaves of Grass, bear such strains of Upanishadic message - transcendence of the ego, immanence of God and intuitability of knowledge - that one could see very clearly that he was very deeply influenced by the Upanishads and that he was thoroughly seized of the oriental spirit.
Apart from the American transcendentalists, two other agencies - the American Oriental Society, formed in Boston in 1842, and Harvard University through the Harvard Oriental Series, started in 1891 - gave a boost to studies of Indian wisdom in America…
The Russian interest in Vedanta began as early as when Anquetil-Duperron was writing his Latin translation of the Upanishads, Oupnek’hat, but became pronounced with Tolstoy’s expressing his keen interest in the Upanishads, the Bhagavadgita, the Tirukkural (a Tamil classic) and in the spiritual literature of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Having read Swamiji’s Raja Yoga and two volumes of his speeches and articles, Tolstoy rated Swamiji as ‘India’s greatest modern philosopher’ and ‘placed him among the world’s greatest thinkers, along with Socrates, Rousseau and Kant‘. (528)… Swami Tathagatananda’s efforts towards putting across the truth of Vedanta and towards distilling the essence of the Upanishadic message from the writings of scholars of six Western countries are, to say the least, monumental. But for years of dedicated and enormously painstaking research, documented with quotations from the works of distinguished scholars, a work of such magnitude could not have been produced. Swami Tathagatananda has indeed very deservingly earned the gratitude of humanity with this work of lasting value.A Chat with Narayana Murthy
1 Comment Published by uttishthata September 23rd, 2007 in Narayana MurthyN R Narayana Murthy
Transcript of LIVE Chat with Chief Mentor of Infosys, N R Narayana Murthy on 10 September 2007 from New Delhi.
“Every other Indian company can challenge Infosys”
NR Narayana Murthy
Chief Mentor of Infosys
NR Narayana Murthy > It’s a great pleasure to participate in this chat with the ET/ TOI/ Maharashtra Times and Nav Bharat Times, online users. I am amazed at the power of this online network and the value it brings to the country.
Abhishek Goel > Don’t you think we are taking China and other emerging nations too lightly as far as IT sector is concerned? Should we need to take steps that will continue to lure foreign companies to India?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe we should take every one of our competitors and potential competitors seriously. This we can do by enhancing our infrastructure including the education infrastructure and creating an environment of warmth for our customers and prospects.
Ritesh Verma > I’ve always wanted to know if one has to have business sense first to start a venture or does one acquire it over time? Did you always want to start up something like Infosys and prepared for it the way you did or did you do it instinctively?
NR Narayana Murthy > Most momentous decisions in life are taken on the spur of the moment. Like your education, the girl that you want to marry or the job that you want to take up. However, the choices are created by your preparedness and the environment. In my case, my experience in Europe taught me that the best way to solve the problem of poverty in India is by entrepreneurship and creation of jobs. That is why I took it up.
Biswajit > Why is Infosys centered only in West and South India (apart from one centre in Chandigarh)? North and East India had been bases of big companies for quite sometime. Does this figure in Infosys’ plan sometime down the line? No, we have operations in Chandigarh, Jaipur and Noida in North India.
NR Narayana Murthy > We have operations in Bhubaneshwar in Eastern india. We’d be happy to start operations in more and more North and East Indian cities.
S Ghosh > Dear Mr. Murthy, How does one cope if one feels down and out in the IT profession?
NR Narayana Murthy > Lets all remember that compared to the poor people of India, we are the blessed ones. Our problems are nothing compared to them. So I always think of how kind God has been to me whenever I am down.
Pradeep Kumar > Dear Sir, India’s recent economic development has been commendable thanks to government economic liberalisation. Though as an Indian I feel proud of the recent economic success, however, what hurts most is red tape, bureaucracy. How do you suggest ways to fight that?
NR Narayana Murthy > We have to create a system of meritocracy and incentives in our bureaucracy. Then I am sure they’d perform as well as anybody in the private sector.
Geo > Respected Mr Murthy, during the end of the 90’s how did you market your software and services abroad? I assume during that time neither India nor Infosys was popular in the West as a reliable IT resource. What was the strategy that you adopted?
NR Narayana Murthy > Our initial strategy was excellence in execution. We leveraged the fact that the quality of our software and the On Time completion of our effort was of the highest order.
Vincent > Mr Murthy, I would like to know the scope for a commerce background person in software field, what are the opportunities available?
NR Narayana Murthy > In fact, majority of opportunities in the application area in software is for people with commercial background with an algorithmic bent of mind. So, as long as you are comfortable in logic, you have tremendous opportunity.
vks_urdisciple > Respected Sir, you are a role model to thousands of people but who is your role-model
NR Narayana Murthy > It’s clearly Mahatma Gandhi since he walked the talk and led by example.
Deep_01 > According to you, what can be the factors which can propel Infosys in the league of international big players?
NR Narayana Murthy > First, becoming more multi-cultural. Second, providing better and better business value. And third, creating better brand equity.
Ramesh > Sir, I agree that, as a Software Service Provider like Infosys, you have compulsion with the clients you are working with for not to develop products competing with the clients. But, how long one can run a service company? Is it not a good idea to have a product which can be proudly labeled as “Made in India” or “Made by Infosys”;. What is holding back you or any software services industry?
NR Narayana Murthy > We already have Finacle - the No 1 banking product in India. This has been installed in 35 Plus countries. As we move forward, based on our preparedness, we will definitely look at your suggestions for products in other areas.
K V Ramadoss > suppose you became the Prime Minister of India, what would be your priorities? How will you handle the reservation policy?
NR Narayana Murthy > That is very hypothetical question. However, let me answer it. I would focus all the governmental efforts on address efficiently the issues of education, healthcare, nutrition and shelter for the poor, while providing an absolutely free space for entrepreneurs to create more jobs to enhance exports and to create greater wealth.
Aamir > Hi, Do you see in future whether the Software industry be able to provide service sector to the field agriculture in countries like India.
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe currently there is no technology to suffice that. There are several applications that can enhance the productivity of the agricultural sector. However, we have to ensure that there is a financial mechanism for our farmers to leverage the power of these applications.
jyan > what do u attribute secrets of your professional success?
NR Narayana Murthy > I am not sure I can say we at Infosys have achieved any great success. However, we believe that hard work, smart work, a good value system, long term orientation and focus on innovation and finally openness to new ideas and meritocracy are the key ingredients for becoming better and better.
Abhay > What is your message for young entrepreneurs?
NR Narayana Murthy > We are at a historical juncture in the history of this country. For the first time in 300 years, India has received respect, attention and admiration. This is the time to consolidate on the small success we have had by working hard, by following discipline and by putting the interest of the country first in everything we do.
Rathin Vora > Do you think Indian software professionals are better than American tech professionals? If so, then in which areas do they score? Where do they lag? Is there any company in India which can challenge Infosys?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that there are good professionals in every country. However, since the US is at the leading edge of technology, the software professionals there have more and more opportunities to use advance technology first compared to us. Being a highly developed country, the software professionals in the US generally do not see the need for hard work as much as our Indian software professional’s see. I believe that every other Indian company can challenge Infosys as long as they are more innovative, and they are better customer focused than us.
Krishna Prasad > Sir, as you know investment in equities gives best returns in the long term. I want to know your investment portfolio, and your favourite sectors apart from software? Do you invest through mutual funds or directly?
NR Narayana Murthy > I must say that my main investments are in Infosys which happened when we founded the company. I am not an expert in stock market, hence am not the right person to answer this.
Padmanapan > Hello Mr Narayan .I am Padmanapan studying in Pune. My question is related to political system of India. It seems impossible to curb the dirty minds entering in politics. So under such circumstances what should be the role of youth, since they get discouraged by sub standard political system?
NR Narayana Murthy > The youth must stand up for their beliefs by vocally supporting good politicians and by voting them to power. Second, they must conduct themselves as good citizens of this country.
Hello > Hello Mr.Murthy, How long do you feel this boom in IT industry in India continue??
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that we are still in the early stages of the IT revolution in the world. Hence this will continue for quite some time.
rahulverma1980 > respected sir my question is that if someone is having enough knowledge of sales and marketing is it necessary having an MBA degree for having a job in a reputed form like Infosys..?
NR Narayana Murthy > Not necessary. In fact, out of the 70,000 or so employees at Infosys, not more than 7,000 would be MBAs
venkat > Dear Murthy Sir, So far the IT industry has done extremely well, however the talent crunch and the reducing quality in the people is creating a big concern to clients. Is the entire industry acknowledging this? Any tips to work out this issue?
NR Narayana Murthy > We have reaped the benefits of the extraordinary vision of Jawaharlal Nehru. This is the time for our Prime Minister to enhance the quality and the quantity of higher education system in the country. Else, we may regret it 20 years from now
Deepak > sir what do u think about FBT provision on ESOp. dont u think it is very harsh on Companies Since
NR Narayana Murthy > > I don’t have full data on that; I am not in a position to comment on it.
Vinod Vasanth > what are the basic tips for handling customers
NR Narayana Murthy > Openness to understand customers’ problems, a mindset to enhance business value to the customer and behaviour that creates trust in customers’ minds.
123 > One interview you have mentioned that, you have still has to pay some amount for your wife which you have bought from her at your difficult time can you explain more about that.
NR Narayana Murthy > My part of the equity in Infosys was borrowed from Sudha and she paid for most of our expenses in the initial years
shimo > Do you think our education system is capable of producing leaders? If not what changes should be brought in?
NR Narayana Murthy > We have produced extraordinary leaders like Nehru, Patel, Shastri, Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram, Montek Singh and many others. I believe that it is capable of producing good leaders.
drquery > By recruiting talent who are not necessarily from IT background by attracting them with good salary packages, don’t you think the IT sector is weaning rest of the industry sectors from much required resource supply?
NR Narayana Murthy > Yes, I agree with you. However, the solution is to produce more and more engineers in every sector of the economy so that there will be enough talent not just for IT, but all other branches of engineering.
Laurel > You took 26 years to built a company like Infosys what it now. What should I do to build a company like this in 8 to 10 years time?
NR Narayana Murthy > Work harder, smarter and have solutions that have better business value to the customer than we did.
Chethan > Mr. Murthy, by the end of the year 2010 do you think India will free from poverty?
NR Narayana Murthy > I don’t think so. I would very much like India to be free from poverty but that will happen only if we have good political leaders, efficient bureaucrats and well-meaning corporate leaders.
Laurel > You took 26 years to built a company like Infosys what it now. What should i do to build a company like this in 8 to 10 years time.
NR Narayana Murthy > I have always regarded respect as the most precious item for me. I know that it is along journey to deserve respect from the society. I am still in the initial stages of this journey.
vks_urdisciple > What do you think was your best business decision?
NR Narayana Murthy > Clearly, requesting 6 younger colleagues of mine to join me as co-founders. If I have to do this exercise again, I would go with the same 6 plus a few other extraordinary leaders at Infosys.
raghunandan > Hello Sir, Software majors like Infosys are recruiting thousands of people every year . Don’t you feel, with such a large workforce, there is a fear of stagnation as far as career of an individual is concerned. Also due to the number of people leaving the company every year , which is not ideal
NR Narayana Murthy > We recruit people based on the market needs and our ability to sustain productive employment for these people for a certain number of years. While attrition is clearly an issue, I accept the dream and aspiration of every young man and woman to better their prospects wherever they want. Every person that has been an Info-scion even for a short period will always remain our friend and is most welcome to come back or visit us for a lunch or a coffee.
prasanti > Hello sir…I am student of textile engineering and want to switch 2 software…what d u advise me 2 do?
NR Narayana Murthy > As long as you have algorithmic thinking and are strong in logic, you can always become a good software engineer.
shimo > Which is your favorite author? Any book you consider crucial in your success?
NR Narayana Murthy > I read popular physics and popular mathematics for my recreational purposes. Clearly, feynman lectures trilogy is my favorite book. I frankly can’t think of any book that I can point to as my business experience.
PANKAJ > among new entrepreneurs who have impresses you
NR Narayana Murthy > Certainly I think Sunil Mittal, then Kishore Biyani, the founders of On mobile, have all impressed me.
shreyasanjeev > respected sir, please define the vision of india for coming five years on economic front
NR Narayana Murthy > Our challenge will have to be to provide basic education, healthcare, nutrition and shelter to every Indian child.
bhaskarswapnil > Dear Sir, I am a 4th year student at IIT Kanpur in the Computer Science Department. Many here believe Indian Industry requires only technicians and not IITians. DO you think Indian industry requires IITians?
NR Narayana Murthy > Where and as who? In Infosys we believe that software engineering is extremely crucial to our success. Hence, IITians are very important for the success of this industry.
Muhamad > Hi, I am the owner of a small technology firms, what’s the best way to grow on in business when you have limited resources and maximum opportunities and how one can balance all of this to build a sustainable growth part.
NR Narayana Murthy > Focus on an idea that is simple in business value to the customer, create a team of complementary strengths and common value system and make sure that you work hard and smart.
Bhalchandra > Dear Sir, What measure do you suggest to improve the quality of Software engineers (fresher’s)?
NR Narayana Murthy > Since quite a few times it is said that the fresher’s are not up to the mark Focus on algorithmic thinking, generic learn-ability, discipline and hard work.
Jimil > What do you think about multinationals coming to India like Walmart and Tesco, they have affected small retailers in UK and USA (They have nearly finished them), don’t you think same will happen in Indian vast small retail industry?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that economy of scale, technology and innovation add value to the large number of consumers in the country. While it is true that it may displace a section of the mom and pop stores, in the interest of the large no of consumers, i would welcome such large stores as long as we can provide decent employment to the small shop owners.
Mohan > What is your suggestion to manage our time (personal, professional life). How do you manage your time between these two?
NR Narayana Murthy > Right from my childhood, my father insisted on me having a time table, allocating time based on priority. I believe this is the best solution.
91985 > Murthy Sir I like 2 develop own software company like as Infosys
NR Narayana Murthy > Best wishers for you. May you succeed since India needs more and more people like you.
VijayMehta > Dear Mr Murthy, A lot has been written and said about the success of Infosys. I am sure there would have been incidents and obstacles, Infosys as a company and you as one of the founder members would have faced. Can you please share one such incident?
NR Narayana Murthy > It took us more than a year to get a telephone connection in 1982 and we lost a huge project because of that.
Dileep > Do you think, by any means, that the corruption in India can be lowered down in near future?
NR Narayana Murthy > Only if we have enhance transparency and if we our leaders lead by example.
lalit > Mr Murthy, can you please write an article informing people how to raise kids?
NR Narayana Murthy > I want my daughter to be good in what ever she does but then your experience will be very valuable to raise her. Probably, my wife should write it since she has been responsible for raising both the kids with a good value system.
Aditya > India is officially, centrally known as IT center of world. Why doesn’t India invest in creative fields like MEMS, semiconductor which need good brains (which we already have) and which will add thousands of opportunities to upcoming talent in India.
NR Narayana Murthy > I have discussed this issue with Dr Murli Manohar Joshi as well as with Dr Manmohan Singh. It is our PM who has to take this decision.
rahul > Dear Sir. I am very happy to see you in the forum. You are the role module of young people. My question is & quot; what are the steps do u taken to bring rural educated people to come main stream. They have all the quality except English. so what ur step to comedown this problem.
NR Narayana Murthy > Thanking you I am very happy that karnataka government has started a finishing school for qualified candidates who are weak in English. Similarly, Infosys has conducted special camps for rural youngsters to help them with English. We have to scale this up.
Swamy > Dear NRN, How do you see Infosys growing from where it is currently with the change in leadership?
NR Narayana Murthy > With a management structure in place along with business units across key vertical and IBUs, what do you see would be the role of the CEO, COO, CFO, CHRO As we move forward, there will be more and more decentralization of power and each IBU should be run as an independent unit with its own balance sheet
sakthi > what will be the next big revolution just as IT?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe it will be clearly Bio-technology, nano-technology and embedded systems as applied to appliance computing.
tejas > In Infosys, What do you do when you have to make a hard decision?
NR Narayana Murthy > We sit, discuss and debate for a fixed amount of time and then the leader takes the decision after considering all points of view.
sudhirtaori: > whats your opinion on e governance?
NR Narayana Murthy > E governance is extremely important for a poor country like India since it enhances transparency, reduced corruption, improves efficiency of governmental services.
visky > When compared to other industries why are IT people paid more?
NR Narayana Murthy > In the free market philosophy, whenever demand exceed supply, prices go up. That is the reason.
Manu > can you please answer my question on how you started Infosys?
NR Narayana Murthy > I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur ever since I spent some time in Europe. So, in December 1980, I decided to take a plunge and that is when one of my colleagues wanted to join me and I invited 5 other youngsters. That is how Infosys was born.
Sunnyvale > Will opening offices in China by some Indian IT companies, affect the progress of India?
NR Narayana Murthy > Not really, because, at this point of time, the market opportunity is enough to leverage the talent of both India and China.
Nishchaymhatre > Respected Sir, in your opinion what was Infosys’s greatest moment till date?
NR Narayana Murthy > There are many, like getting listed on NASDAQ as the first Indian company, our first customer, our first campus, initiating our stock option plan, etc.
maheshgupt > How can senior IT professionals , opting for VRS , contribute for upliftment of IT in India?
NR Narayana Murthy > By participating in enhancing IT literacy in their own cities or towns, particularly for children from the poorer sections of society.
amitkumar_india > Many of highly talented Indian engineers are going abroad for better jobs. What can be done to retain them in India?
NR Narayana Murthy > First of all, I believe that a certain percentage of our youngsters must go abroad, contribute to those societies and conduct themselves as model citizens of those societies. This will enhance the image of India. On the issue of attracting them back, we have to create an environment where it is easy for them to commute to their offices. It is easy for them to send their children to good schools and it is easy for them to lead a decent quality of life.
Sonia > Was there any time in life when you felt that you will not be able to achieve your goal?
NR Narayana Murthy > There have been many times. For example, when we were refused loan to import a computer, when it would take us 12 to 14 days to get permission to travcel abroad, when we could not get telephone lines even after a year and lost a huge project, etc.
javeed > Mr.Narayan Murthy when you along with a handful of your colleagues started work in one small house in Koramangla did you have any idea or confidence that one day you would attain and achieve what you have achieved today for yourself and the county.
NR Narayana Murthy > Not really. However, right from day one, we focused on receiving more and more respect from every one of the stake holders. I believe that we are moving along reasonably well on that target.
avkrishna > do you think that the demand for IT still remain for at least 20 years?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that the world is still in its early stage in leveraging the power of IT, particularly when you consider two thirds the population of this world (in the developing world) has not at all leveraged the power of IT.
Sharad > How would you explain the wide divide (in basic facilities available, like roads/education/electricity etc) that exists between urban and rural areas or even between states in India when if you see countries like US, even the smallest of village at least has basic amenities?
NR Narayana Murthy > It is just that in a developing country like India, our resources are limited and we have used outdated ideas and shibboleths. The day our leaders realize the importance of entrepreneurship and creation of jobs, and the power of entrepreneurship in creating infrastructure, I believe we will sort this problem.
Ashwani > what is your opinion on the sustainability of the GDP growth in india and what is the perceived contribution from IT Sector
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that we can continue to grow at 9 to 10 per cent for at least 20 years since China has done it for the last 20 years. At this point of time, the IT sector contributes about 4 to 5 per cent of the GDP. I believe that we can take it to about 10 per cent if we work hard.
Anand > Currently we have seen there huge number of recruitment happening across companies, what do you think out quality Vs quantity?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that the quality of the intake is slowly deteriorating. It is not the fault of the youth but that of the system. That is why we, at Infosys, have started many initiatives to enhance the quality of our training.
DarwinLloyd > You took 26 years to built a company like Infosys what it now. What should I do to build a company like this in 8 to 10 years time.
NR Narayana Murthy > To make this possible I need more input (tips) from you sir. Openness to new ideas, meritocracy, speed, imagination and excellence in execution will help you progress faster than Infosys.
sudhirtaori > Do you hate people who make spelling mistakes?
NR Narayana Murthy > I do, however, I am not used to typing so fast.
kukuananda > Driven by values is your slogan. What are these values????
NR Narayana Murthy > Focus on the customer, leadership by example, integrity and transparency, fairness and excellence in execution.
role_model > am a fresher……should I get experience to become an entrepreneur
NR Narayana Murthy > If you have a clear idea which adds business value to the market, then you don’t need an experience because entrepreneurship is all about a powerful idea, a team with complementary strengths, an enduring value system, passion, commitment and sacrifice and finally a great dream.
samyukta > Sir, who thought of the name Infosys… and Why Infosys?
NR Narayana Murthy > I must confess that I thought of the name Infosys. Infosys is the acronym for Information Systems, which is our business.
Sen > Dear Sir, Your opinion on software professionals who are changing companies very often for better position/Increment in their salary/Higher role etc?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that it is the right of every individual to choose the organization that he or she wants to work for.
Kunalks > Sir - Do you see any mergers/consolidations happening between the various Indian IT services and Solution companies in near future?
NR Narayana Murthy > I do not have a crystal ball. However, it is difficult to imagine the big 3 coming together.
nusrath > Sir, what did you mean when you recently said that we need to boost productivity to cut the losses that IT companies are incurring because of the appreciating rupee?
NR Narayana Murthy > What I meant was we have to enhance our work productivity, which means we have to increase our revenues with the same number of staff by doing more work in the same time period.
shital > Resp sir. Do u think that we are better than china?? or is it just because we are better in the language English ?
NR Narayana Murthy > China is clearly demonstrated their success in growing their GDP faster than India, in enhancing their export better than India and in creating a much larger no of jobs than India. I believe we have many lessons to learn from China.
Sophia > What is your advise to women entrepreneurs in the IT industry?
NR Narayana Murthy > I believe that we in India have to encourage women entrepreneurs much more than we have done. This requires policies that are beneficial to women and that help women become entrepreneurs while discharging important duties as mothers
Pratham > How much of a threat is rupee appreciation vis-à-vis dollar in the long term for IT industry in India?
NR Narayana Murthy > I do not believe in the Dollar Rupee exchange rate as a threat because this is a macro economic factor and no individual company can control it. Why worry about an issue over which we have no control, while we have hundreds of issues that we have to solve and over which we have control.
NR Narayana Murthy > This is an issue on which only the US government and the citizens of US can comment. We, the Indian companies have to grow our businesses successfully while operating under whatever constraints exist in our market place
Sign off Message > Folks, it has been wonderful participating in this chat. I am extremely grateful to all of you and to my friend Mr Rajesh Kalra for this extraordinary opportunity. I will sign off now. Thank you.
Sisters and Brothers of America
1 Comment Published by uttishthata September 10th, 2007 in VivekanandaSeptember 11 is the most remarkable day in the history of mankind. On this day an unknown monk from the Holy Land of India with his short but eloquent speech filed with
Universal Humanism addressed the august assembly at the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago held in 1893. A crucial event in shaping a more pluralistic, tolerant view of religions was the inaugural World Parliament of Religions in 1893. As part of the 
Chicago exhibition it was decided to invite participants from all the main religions. Some suggest the Parliament was founded in the expectation of proving the superiority of Christianity over the other religions. This may or may not have been a partial motive, but the idea of inviting representative from different religions was a relative novel concept and an outreach towards greater tolerance. The World Parliament of Religions could possibly have passed into relative anonymity had it not been for the participation of the young Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna a great saint from Bengal, India. Under his guidance Vivekananda had learnt, practised and embodied the ancient ideals of Vedanta. Foremost Sri Ramakrishna was a devotee of Mother Kali, but after realising the highest spiritual experience in his own sadhana (spiritual discipline) he was inspired to practise with great devotion, the religious and spiritual disciplines of other religions and sects. Thus Ramakrishna was able to proclaim with the inner certainty of direct experience that all religions led to the same goal. For Ramakrishna the unity of all religions was not just a philosophical idea it was something he had realised and experienced himself. As the spiritual successor to Ramakrishna it was fitting that Vivekananda would be able to make such a positive impression on the Parliament of World Religions. In Vivekananda the audience felt a sincere spirituality a religious feeling that was not confrontational but all-inclusive. At his inaugural address Vivekananda began his immortal address with the words sisters and brothers of America. Spontaneously the 4,000 audience rose to their feet in appreciation for the sentiments
and spirit of his lofty message. Vivekananda continued. It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us… Swami Vivekananda was chosen to represent Hinduism however he did not try to prove the superiority of his religion. Instead Vivekananda spoke with great sincerity about the harmony of world religions and the common spirituality of humanity. It was this universal message of oneness which captivated the audience. As different streams, having their sources in different places, all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee. Vivekananda proved to be an eloquent exponent of Vedanta and the ideals of all religions. In addition people felt in this handsome and striking Monk a calm detachment, a luminous personality and genuine spirituality.
Vivekananda explained the gist of Hinduism by quoting a sloka from Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishad that explains the concept of Universal acceptance of all religions.
Now let us read the complete text of the speech and get transported to the height of Oneness of Being, Jato Mat Tato Path.
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At the World’s Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 11th September, 1893
Response to Welcome
Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the 
delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honour of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.“
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself
a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.” Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
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Hear Swami Vivekananda Speech at Chicago - Welcome Address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxUzKoIt5aM
Though it is not the actual voice of Vivekananda, we can feel the power of his thoughts on Hinduism, and his respect for other religions.
Let us celebrate 11th September as Anti-Fanaticism Day
That light let it light many lamps
1 Comment Published by uttishthata September 5th, 2007 in APJ Abdul KalamFormer President of India Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s message
on the eve of Teachers’-Day (05.09.2003)
(few introductory sentences could not be recorded)
To begin with, I am going to talk to you about my father who taught me as a teacher.
My father taught me a great lesson when I was a young boy. What was that lesson? It was just after India got independence. At that time, Panchayat board election took place at Rameshwaram. My father was elected as Panchayat board member and on the same day he was also elected as President of Rameshwaram Panchayat Board. Rameshwaram island was a beautiful place with 30,000 population. That time, they elected my father as Panchayat Board President not because he belonged to a particular religion or particular caste or spoke a particular language or for his economic status. He was elected only on the basis of his nobility of mind and of being a good human being. Dear listeners, I would like to narrate one incident that took place on that day he was elected President of Panchayat board. I was at that time studying in School. Those days we did not have electricity and we used to study under rationed kerosene lamp. I was reading the lessons loudly and I heard a knock on the door. We never used to lock the door at Rameshwaram in those days. Somebody opened the door, came in, and asked me where my father was. I told him that my father has gone for evening Namaz. Then he said he has brought something for him, Can I keep it here? Since my father had gone for Namaz, I shouted for my mother to get her permission to receive the item. Since she was also under Namaz, there was no response. I asked the person to leave the item on the cot. After that, I continued my studies. I used to learn by reading aloud in my younger days. I was reading loud and fully concentrating on my studies. At that time my father came in and saw a tambulam kept in the cot. He asked me, “What is this? Who has given that?” I told him somebody came & he has kept this tambulam on the cot. He opened the cover of the Tambulam and found there was a costly Dhoti, Angavastram, some fruits, some sweets and he could see the slip that the person has left behind. I was the youngest child of my father. He really loved me and I also loved him a lot. He was upset at the sight of the Tambulam and gift left by someone. That was the first time I saw him very angry. And also that was the first time, I had got a thorough beating from him. I got frightened and started weeping. My mother embraced and consoled me. Then, my father came and touched my shoulder lovingly with affection and advised me not to receive any gift without his permission. He quoted an Islamic haziz, which states that “when the Almighty appoints a person to a position, he takes care of his provision. If a person takes anything beyond that, it is an illegal”. Then, he told me that it is not a good habit, gift is always accompanied with some purpose and a gift is a dangerous thing. It is like touching a snake and getting the poison in return. This lesson stands out always in my mind even when I am in my seventees. This incidence taught me a very valuable lesson for my life. It is deeply embedded in my mind. I would like to also to mention a writing in Manu Smriti which states that “by accepting gifts, the divine light in the person gets extinguished”. Manu wants every individual against accepting gifts for the reason that it places the acceptor under an obligation in favour of the person who give the gift and ultimately it results in making a person to debt which are not permissible according to law. I am sharing these thought with all of you, particularly the young ones. Do not be carried away by any gift that comes with a purpose and through which one loses one’s personality greatly. Do you think you can follow this in your life? I will be very happy if you can practice this sincerely.
My second teacher, primary school teacher, Sri Sivasubramani Iyer. When I think of my second teacher, I am reminded of my childhood days when I was studying in 8th class at the age of 13. I had a teacher, Sri Sivasubramani Iyer; he was one of the very good teachers in our school. All of us liked to attend his classes carefully. One day he was teaching about a bird’s flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard depicting beak, tail, the body structure with the head. He explained how the bird takes the lift and fly, he also explained how they change the direction while flying nearly for 25 minutes. He gave the lecture with various information about lift, drag, how the bird fly in the formation of 10, 20 and 30. At the end of the class he wanted to know whether we understood how the birds fly. I said, “I did not understand how did the bird fly”. When I said this, the teacher asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that they could not understand. He did not get upset by the response since he was a committed teacher. Our teacher said that he would take all of us to the seashore. That evening the whole class was at the seashore of Rameshwaram. We enjoyed the roaring sea-wave, knocking at the sandy hills in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying in the formation of 10 to 20 in numbers. We saw the marvelous formation of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. He showed us the birds and asked us to see how the birds fly, what they looked like. We saw the wings flapping. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the combination of flapping wings and twisting tail. We noticed carefully and found that the birds in that condition flew in the direction they desire. Then he asked us a question. Where the engine is, and how it is powered. Bird is powered by its own life and the motivation of what it was. All these things were explained to us with in 15 minutes. We all understood the whole bird’s dynamics from this practical example. How nice it was! Our teacher was a great teacher. He could give us a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example available in nature. This is a real teaching. I am sure many of the teachers in schools and colleges will follow this example. For me, it was not an understanding of how birds fly. The bird’s flight entered into me and created a special feeling. From that evening, I thought that my future study has to be with reference to flights and flight systems. I am saying this because of my teacher’s teaching and the event I observed I decided about my future career. Then, one evening after the classes I asked the teacher, “Sir, please tell me how to progress further in learning all about flight?” He patiently explained to me that I should complete 8th class, and then go to high school, and then I should go to engineering college that may lead to education on flight. If I complete ordinary education with excellence, I may do something connected with flight sciences. This advice and the bird’s flying exercise given by my teacher really gave me a goal and a mission for my life. When I went to the college, I took Physics, and then I went to Engineering in Madras Institute of Technology and took Aeronautical Engineering. Thus, my life got transformed as a Rocket Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, and technologist. That one incident of my teacher teaching the lesson, showing the visual life example proved to be turning point in my life, which eventually shaped my profession.
A student during his school life up to 10 + 2 spends 25,000 hours in the school campus. His life is more influenced by the teacher and the school’s environment. Therefore, the schools must have the best of teachers with ability to teach and live teaching and bring moral qualities. Teacher should become a role model. Similarly, the student must be allowed to build himself or herself with the best of qualities and to get ignited with vision for his or her future life.
My third teacher, the design teacher Prof. Dhawan. I would like to share with you another experience with my teacher Prof. Satish Dhawan. First I worked in Delhi with Ministry Of Defense, later I joined Defense Research and Development Organisation in 1958 at Aeronautical development establishment in Bangalore. There, with the advice of the Director, I took up the development of Hovercraft. Hovercraft design needed the development of a ducted contra-rotating propeller. I didn’t know how to design the contra rotating propeller, though I knew how to design conventional propeller. Some of my friends told me that I could approach Prof. Satish Dhawan of Indian Institute Of Science who was well-known for his Aeronautical Research and he would help in designing the ducted contra-rotating propeller. I took permission from my Director and went to meet Prof. Satish Dhawan who was sitting in a small room in Indian Institute Of Science with lot of books in the background and the blackboard on the wall. Prof. Satish Dhawan asked me what the problem was that I would like to discuss. I explained the problem to Prof. Satish Dhawan about my project work. He told me that it is really a challenging task he would teach me the design if I attend his class in Indian Institute of Science between 2 pm. to 3 pm. on all Saturdays for next 6 weeks. He was a visionary teacher. He prepared the schedule for the entire course and wrote it on the blackboard. He also gave me the reference material and books I should read before I start attending the course. I considered this as a great opportunity and started attending the discussions and starting meeting with him regularly. Before commencing each meeting, he will ask critical questions and assess my understanding of the subject. That was the first time that I realised how a good teacher prepares himself for teaching, with meticulous planning and prepares the student for acquisition of knowledge. This process continued for the next six weeks. I got the capability for designing the contra-rotating propeller. Professor told me that I am ready for developing the contra-rotating propeller for the Hovercraft configuration. That was the time I realised that Prof. Satish Dhawan was not only a teacher but, also a fantastic development engineer of aeronautical systems. Later, during the critical places of testing Prof. Dhawan was with me to witness the test and find solution to the problems. After reaching the smooth test phase, contra-rotating propeller went through 50 hours of continuous testing. Prof. Satish Dhawan witness the test himself and congratulated me. That was a great day for me when I saw the contra-rotating propeller designed by my team performing to the mission requirement in the Hovercraft. However, at that time, I didn’t realise that Prof. Satish Dhawan will become chairman, ISRO and I would get the opportunity to work with him as the project-Director in the development of a satellite launch vehicle SLV3 for injecting the Rohini Satellite into the Orbit. Nature has its own way to link to the student’s dream and the real life later. This was the first design in my career, which gave me the confidence to design many complex aerospace systems in future. The Hovercraft could fly just above the ground level carrying two passengers. I was the first pilot on this Hovercraft and I could control and maneuver the vehicle in any direction. Through this project, I learnt the techniques of designing and developing the contra-rotating propeller. Above all, I learnt that in a project problem will always crop up and we should not allow the problems to be our masters but we should defeat the problems. Then, the success will sparkle.
The three teachers in my life, what did they give me? In an integrated way it can be said that any enlightened human being can be created by three unique characteristics. One is moral value system that I got from my father, the hard way. Secondly, the teacher becoming a role model, not only does the student learn but, the teacher shape his life with great dreams and aims. Finally, the education and learning process have to culminate in the creation of professional capability given to confidence and will power to make a design, to make a project, to make a system bravely combating many problems. What a fortune and blessings I had from my three teachers.
Among the listeners, there may be many parents, many teachers and a large number of students. Every one of us in this planet creates a page in human history irrespective of who he or she is. I realise the experience is a small dot in human life. But that dot has a life and light. That light let it light many lamps. My best wishes to all of you on this occasion of “Teachers’ day”.
Thank you.
Celebrate Unique Janmashtami
This intense longing — becoming mad after realising God or getting the knowledge of the Self — is real spirituality. The irresistible madness which the Gopis had for the Lord, Shri Krishna, yea, it is intense longing like that which is necessary for the realisation of the Self! Even in the Gopis’ mind there was a slight distinction of man and woman. But in real Self-knowledge, there is not the slightest distinction of sex.
Such love indeed is necessary for Self-realisation. There must be fretting and pining
within the heart. Now from His playful life at Vrindaban come to the Krishna of Kurukshetra, and see how that also is fascinating — how, amidst all that horrible din and uproar of fighting, Krishna remains calm, balanced, and peaceful. Ay, on the very battlefield, He is speaking the Gita to Arjuna and getting him on to fight, which is the Dharma of a Kshatriya! Himself an agent to bring about this terrible warfare, Shri Krishna remains unattached to action — he did not take up arms! To whichsoever phase of it you look, you will find the character of Shri Krishna perfect. As if He was the embodiment of knowledge, work, devotion, power of concentration, and everything! In the present age, this aspect of Shri Krishna should be specially studied. Only contemplating the Krishna of Vrindaban with His flute won’t do nowadays — that will not bring salvation to humanity. Now is needed the worship of Shri Krishna uttering forth the lion-roar of the Gita, of Rama with His bow and arrows, of Mahavira, of Mother Kali. Then only will the people grow strong by going to work with great energy and will. I have considered the matter most carefully and come to the conclusion that of those who profess and talk of religion nowadays in this country, the majority are full of morbidity — crack-brained or fanatic. Without development of an abundance of Rajas, you have hopes neither in this world, nor in the next. The whole country is enveloped in intense Tamas; and naturally the result is — servitude in this life and hell in the next.
If you want any good to come, just throw your ceremonials overboard and worship the Living God, the Man-god — every being that wears a human form — god in His universal as well as individual aspect. The universal aspect of God means this world, and worshipping it means serving it — this indeed is work, not indulging in ceremonials. Neither is it work to cogitate as to whether the rice-plate should be placed in front of the God for ten minutes or for half an hour — that is called lunacy. Millions of rupees have been spent only that the temple-doors at Varanasi or Vrindaban may play at opening and shutting all day long! Now the Lord is having His toilet, now He is taking His meals, now He is busy on something else we know not what. . . . And all this, while the Living God is dying for want of food, for want of education! The banias of Bombay are erecting hospitals for bugs — while they would do nothing for men even if they die! You have not the brain to understand this simple thing — that it is a plague with our country, and lunatic asylums are rife all over. . . . Let some of you spread like fire, and preach this worship of the universal aspect of the Godhead — a thing that was never undertaken before in our country. No quarrelling with people, we must be friends with all. . . .
Spread ideas — go from village to village, from door to door — then only there will be real work. Otherwise, lying complacently on the bed and ringing the bell now and then is a sort of disease, pure and simple. . . . Be independent, learn to form independent judgments. — that such and such a chapter of such and such a Tantra has prescribed a standard length for the handle of a bell,– what matters it to me? Through the Lord’s will, out of your lips shall come millions of Vedas and Tantras and Puranas. . . . If now you can show this in practice, …then only I may have some hope. . . .
I am giving you a new idea. If you can work it out, then I shall know you are men and will be of service. . . . Make an organised plan. A few cameras, some maps, globes, and some chemicals, etc., are needed. The next thing you want is a big hut. Then you must get together a number of poor, indigent folk. Having done all this, show them pictures to teach them astronomy, geography, etc., and preach Shri Ramakrishna to them. Try to have their eyes opened as to what has taken place or is taking place in different countries, what this world is like, and so forth. You have got lots of poor and ignorant folk there. Go to their cottages, from door to door, in the evening, at noon, any time — and open their eyes. Books etc., won’t do — give them oral teaching. Then slowly extend your centres. Can you do all this? Or only bell-ringing?
- Swami Vivekananda
[Source: Selected portions from the complete Works of Swami Vivekananda ]
Sister Nivedita and Monks serving plague affected poor in Kolkata:
Learning From The West
“We are living in the past. No other society gloats so much about the past as we do, with as little current accomplishment.” - N.R. NARAYANA MURTHY
Full text of the talk — Role of Western values in contemporary Indian society — delivered at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management on October 02, 2002 by Chairman of the Board, Infosys Technologies Limited, Bangalore, India.
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is a pleasure to be here at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a man of strong values and he epitomized simple living. He was a freedom fighter and innovative administrator who contributed to nation building in full measure. It is indeed a matter of pride for me to be chosen for the Lal Bahadur Shastri Award for Public Administration and Management Sciences.
I thank the jury for this honor. When I got the invitation to speak here, I decided to speak on an important topic on which I have pondered for years - the role of Western values in contemporary Indian society. Coming from a company that is built on strong values, the topic is close to my heart. Moreover, an organization is representative of society, and some of the lessons that I have learnt are applicable in the national context. In fact, values drive progress and define quality of life in society.
The word community joins two Latin words com (”together” or “with”) and unus (”one”). A community, then, is both one and many. It is a unified multitude and not a mere group of people. As it is said in the Vedas: Man can live individually, but can survive only collectively. Hence, the challenge is to form a progressive community by balancing the interests of the individual and that of the society. To meet this, we need to develop a value system where people accept modest sacrifices for the common good.
What is a value system? It is the protocol for behavior that enhances the trust, confidence and commitment of members of the community. It goes beyond the domain of legality – it is about decent and desirable behavior. Further, it includes putting the community interests ahead of your own. Thus, our collective survival and progress is predicated on sound values.
There are two pillars of the cultural value system - loyalty to family and loyalty to community. One should not be in isolation to the other, because, successful societies are those which combine both harmoniously. It is in this context that I will discuss the role of Western values in contemporary Indian society. Some of you here might say that most of what I am going to discuss are actually Indian values in old ages, and not Western values.
I live in the present, not in the bygone era. Therefore, I have seen these values practiced primarily in the West and not in India. Hence, the title of the topic. I am happy as long as we practice these values - whether we call it Western or old Indian values.
As an Indian, I am proud to be part of a culture, which has deep-rooted family values. We have tremendous loyalty to the family. For instance, parents make enormous sacrifices for their children. They support them until they can stand on their own feet. On the other side, children consider it their duty to take care of aged parents. We believe: Mathru devo bhava - mother is God, and pithru devo bhava - father is God. Further, brothers and sisters sacrifice for each other. In fact, the eldest brother or sister is respected by all the other siblings. As for marriage, it is held to be a sacred union - husband and wife are bonded, most often, for life. In joint families, the entire family works towards the welfare of the family. There is so much love and affection in our family life. This is the essence of Indian values and one of our key strengths. Our families act as a critical support mechanism for us. In fact, the credit to the success of Infosys goes, as much to the founders as to their families, for supporting them through the tough times.
Unfortunately, our attitude towards family life is not reflected in our attitude towards community behavior. From littering the streets to corruption to breaking of contractual obligations, we are apathetic to the common good. In the West - the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand - individuals understand that they have to be responsible towards their community.
The primary difference between the West and us is that, there, people have a much better societal orientation. They care more for the society than we do. Further, they generally sacrifice more for the society than us. Quality of life is enhanced because of this. This is where we need to learn from the West.
I will talk about some of the lessons that we, Indians, can learn from the West. In the West, there is respect for the public go