From our elders we have always heard that we will only be happy if our lives are based on the philosophy of simple living and high thinking. In today’s materialistic life, this philosophy is subject to ridicule. Today, “Vitamin M”, is the be all and end all, around which everybody’s life revolves. To earn wealth people will use any and every means. It is sometimes seen that once a person reaches a place of authority, he starts misusing it. He tries to find loopholes in the work of others, he shouts at his colleagues and subordinates for errors, he refuses to accept their explanations, and mistakenly tends to believe that his subordinates are his slaves. His ego increases, causing further problems.
The younger generation too gives tremendous importance to money and is never satisfied with whatever wealth it has. Greed is increasing. In the rapidly evolving and most sought after Information Technology industry too, we find new comers changing jobs every two to three years or even within a lesser period.
Yet not everything presents such a bleak picture. Recently we saw a shining example, in the case of Mr. Narayan Murthy, Chairman of Infosys. Mr. Murthy, known not just for building the biggest IT Empire in India, but also for his simplicity and generosity, retired at the age of sixty.
To find talent in a person is an art. This foresight helps the organization to grow and achieve new goals. Mr. Murthy entrusted responsibility to Mr. Nandan Nelkeni, who was with him since he started Infosys in Pune in 1981, with just ten thousand rupees and of course his intelligence. Now Infosys has fifty eight thousand well educated and well trained employees. Every important dignitary visiting the country makes it a point to visit the Infosys campus.
Unlike most people who create a place for their own children, Mr. Murthy asked his children to create their own new organization. The appreciable factor about his family is that they believe in sharing their wealth with the needy. He started the Infosys Foundation, which helps many small villages, poor people and social organizations. His wife, Mrs. Sudha Murthy, is actively involved with the work of this foundation. Though modern in outlook, Mr. Narayan Murthy and Mrs. Sudha Murthy retain their Indian values, with a combination of ethics and gracefulness. It really needs courage, simplicity and grace to adhere to one’s values in this competitive world.
Truly one of the finest examples of simple living and high thinking!