Book: A Better India, A Better World

Being purged of his ‘confused Leftist’ title and turning ‘into a determined compassionate capitalist’ through personal experience. In his characteristically smooth, lucid style, N.R. Narayana Murthy brings forth the stark realities that almost 300 million Indians still face: Hunger, illiteracy and disease. In the world’s largest democracy, with super malls and international food chains, the disparity in income levels is glaring.

Through this book — a collection of 38 of his speeches made across the world — Murthy shows how values and good leadership can effectively bridge this demographic gap: “The only solution to the problem of poverty is to create jobs with good disposable incomes.” He believes entrepreneurs who convert ideas into jobs and wealth can help augment this process with help from the government. “Progress is based on dreams and requires change. Change requires learning. Education is about learning to learn,” he advises young graduates.

The speeches are divided into various topics like values, national issues, education, leadership challenges, corporate and public governance, corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, entrepreneurship, globalisation — and his baby, Infosys. It is a must-read for entrepreneurs who believe in creating new wealth legally and ethically, for anyone driven to improve the conditions in the country. Inspirational and aspiration-invoking, the book strives to infuse the same enthusiasm and set of values in its readers.

(Guha Ray is principal correspondent, Entrepreneur)
A Better India, A Better World; by N.R. Narayana Murthy; Allen Lane; 336 pages; Rs. 499 (hardback)