Exclusive: Rajdeep Sardesai In Conversation With N.R. Narayana Murthy & Sudha Murty

Business Today

Business Today

46 min, 26 sec

An in-depth conversation with Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy, covering their personal and professional lives, their values, and the journey of Infosys.

Summary

  • Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy discuss their middle-class values, work ethic, and the sacrifices they made during the early days of Infosys.
  • They reflect on the challenges of starting a business in India during the 1980s and the bureaucratic hurdles they had to overcome.
  • Sudha Murthy talks about her support for her husband's dreams and her own accomplishments in writing and philanthropy.
  • Narayana Murthy addresses a controversy regarding his comments on Indians working 70-hour weeks and stands by his statement about hard work and productivity.
  • The conversation reveals their partnership dynamics, with Sudha's pragmatism and Narayana's idealism, and how they balanced family life with their professional ambitions.

Chapter 1

Introductions and Book Discussion

0:00 - 45 sec

Introductions and discussions around Sudha Murthy's new book 'An Uncommon Love'.

  • The hosts introduce Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy as the iconic couple representing India's middle-class entrepreneurial dream.
  • The occasion for the interview is the release of Sudha Murthy's new book, which documents the couple's early life and love story.
  • The book 'An Uncommon Love' is authored by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and published by Juggernaut.

Chapter 2

Narayana Murthy on 70-Hour Work Weeks

0:45 - 57 sec

Narayana Murthy responds to the controversy over his remarks on 70-hour work weeks.

  • Narayana Murthy clarifies his stance on the controversy, emphasizing the need for hard work to improve society.
  • He reflects on his own work ethic during the building of Infosys and how he benefited from government scholarships.
  • Murthy insists that his comments were about productivity and the responsibility to better the lives of the less fortunate.

Chapter 3

The Murthys on Work-Life Balance

1:42 - 1 min, 39 sec

Sudha Murthy shares her perspective on work-life balance.

  • Sudha Murthy disagrees with the notion that a high number of work hours prevents quality family life.
  • She advocates for enjoying and being passionate about work and finding balance within a busy schedule.
  • The couple shares their approach to spending quality time with family amidst their professional commitments.

Chapter 4

Family Life and Personal Sacrifices

3:21 - 1 min, 28 sec

Discussions on the personal sacrifices made by the Murthys during Infosys' early days.

  • Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy recount the personal sacrifices and compromises they made for Infosys.
  • They talk about missing out on family events and the understanding they had about prioritizing the company's growth.
  • Sudha Murthy explains her support for her husband's work, even if it meant he was absent for family occasions.

Chapter 5

Reflections on Parenthood

4:49 - 1 min, 26 sec

The Murthys reflect on their roles as parents and their children's perspective.

  • Their daughter regarded Narayana Murthy as a 'bonus dad' due to his frequent absence, which he does not regret as he prioritized quality over quantity in parenting.
  • Sudha Murthy emphasizes the importance of explaining to children the reasons behind their father's absence and the work he was doing.

Chapter 6

Sudha Murthy's Career and Choices

6:15 - 1 min, 41 sec

Sudha Murthy discusses her career, her choices, and her partnership with Narayana Murthy.

  • Sudha Murthy talks about her initial job as a lecturer and her decision to prioritize family and support Narayana Murthy's entrepreneurial venture.
  • She discusses the partnership dynamic with her husband and how they complemented each other in their respective roles.

Chapter 7

Historical Inspirations and Work Philosophy

7:56 - 4 min, 35 sec

Narayana Murthy shares his inspirations from historical figures and his work philosophy.

  • Murthy expresses his admiration for historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and their immense sacrifices for India.
  • He draws parallels between their work and his own philosophy of hard work and the importance of being useful to society.

Chapter 8

Narayana Murthy on Family and Entrepreneurial Challenges

12:31 - 1 min, 40 sec

Narayana Murthy discusses balancing family life with the challenges of building Infosys.

  • Murthy talks about the importance of being present for family during difficult times and prioritizing them over work whenever necessary.
  • He reflects on the stress and sacrifices involved in entrepreneurship and the need to persevere through difficult times.

Chapter 9

Sudha Murthy on Her Role in Narayana Murthy's Life

14:11 - 1 min, 53 sec

Sudha Murthy speaks about her role and influence in her husband's life and career.

  • Sudha Murthy discusses the support she provided to Narayana Murthy and how they managed to build a strong partnership.
  • She talks about the early days of Infosys and her belief in her husband's vision, which led her to financially support the company's inception.

Chapter 10

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on Writing the Murthys' Story

16:04 - 1 min, 2 sec

Author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni discusses the process and insights of writing about the Murthys.

  • Divakaruni explains her approach to writing the book about the Murthys, highlighting their humanity and relatability.
  • She emphasizes the importance of showcasing the couple's vulnerabilities and challenges to inspire readers.

Chapter 11

Middle Class Values and Entrepreneurial Struggles

17:06 - 2 min, 51 sec

The Murthys discuss their middle class upbringing and the struggles they faced while establishing Infosys.

  • The couple talks about the values instilled in them during their upbringing and how it shaped their work ethic and lives.
  • They recount the difficulties faced in the early years of Infosys, including dealing with bureaucracy and making personal sacrifices to ensure the company's survival.

Chapter 12

Reflections on Personal Sacrifices for Infosys

19:57 - 2 min, 19 sec

The Murthys reflect on the personal sacrifices made for the growth of Infosys.

  • Sudha Murthy discusses the financial support she provided to Narayana Murthy and her willingness to make sacrifices for the company.
  • Narayana Murthy reflects on the gratitude he feels towards Sudha Murthy for her support and sacrifices.

Chapter 13

The Murthys on Their Early Years and Romance

22:16 - 2 min, 10 sec

The Murthys share anecdotes from their early years and their romance.

  • The couple reminisces about how they met, their shared love for books, and the beginning of their relationship.
  • They share light-hearted stories about their early impressions of each other and the role of literature in their lives.

Chapter 14

The Importance of Gratitude and Life Lessons

24:26 - 3 min, 6 sec

Narayana Murthy emphasizes the importance of gratitude and shares life lessons.

  • Murthy talks about the life lessons he learned from his mother and how they influenced his approach to business and personal relationships.
  • He stresses the importance of gratitude and the impact of positive actions over life's challenges.

Chapter 15

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on Crafting the Murthys' Narrative

27:32 - 1 min, 21 sec

Author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni elaborates on the narrative elements of the Murthys' story.

  • Divakaruni discusses the creative process of capturing the Murthys' story and the themes she focused on.
  • She highlights the couple's unique dynamic and the equality in their relationship, which contributed to their success.

Chapter 16

Middle Class Values and Their Impact

28:53 - 1 min, 58 sec

The Murthys discuss the impact of their middle-class values on their lives and business.

  • Narayana Murthy defines middle-class values and how they have been central to their lives and the foundation of Infosys.
  • The couple shares anecdotes demonstrating their simplicity and the influence of their upbringing.

Chapter 17

Entrepreneurial Challenges and Resilience

30:51 - 1 min, 57 sec

Narayana Murthy recounts the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur and the resilience required.

  • Murthy reflects on the difficulties of doing business in India during the 1980s and the importance of perseverance.
  • He shares stories that illustrate the challenges he faced and how he managed to navigate them with a positive outlook.

Chapter 18

Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

32:48 - 13 min, 36 sec

Final thoughts from the Murthys and acknowledgements from the hosts.

  • Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy express their final thoughts on their journey and the values they cherish.
  • The hosts acknowledge the Murthys' contributions and wrap up the conversation.