Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy calls for focus on job creation, especially low-tech ones

Infosys Founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has stressed the need for India to prioritise job creation, particularly in low-tech sectors. Speaking at CNBC-TV18’s Global Leadership Summit in Mumbai on Thursday, November 14, the business icon shared his vision for an India that realises the dreams of its founding fathers, a nation where economic growth is inclusive and benefits all citizens.

“The need of the day for us is to focus on job creation, primarily low-tech job creation,” Murthy said.

To address this disparity, Murthy advocated a focus on exports, similar to the strategies employed by China and Vietnam.

“Given that the disposable income of India is rather low, we have to focus on exports, like China did, and like Vietnam is doing now, and like a few other nations in East Asia doing. That’s the only way you can create large number of jobs, and that’s the only way you can put some disposable income in the hands of people.”

He stressed the importance of enhancing India’s competitiveness by streamlining decision-making processes and adopting a more agile approach to business. By prioritising excellence and learning from global competitors, India can unlock its full economic potential and create sustainable job opportunities.

“What that means is we have to become nimble. We have to learn from our competition competitive countries. We have to take quick decisions. We have to get to a level of excellence in everything that we do, definitely a higher level of excellence. How do we do it? You know, a lot of my European and American friends tell me that it is time for India to move from an administrative mindset to a management mindset,” Narayana Murthy said.