Narayana Murthy believes India struggles with issues like Delhi pollution due to mindset problem, ET HealthWorld
New Delhi: Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, recently emphasised that India’s persistent issues, such as pollution in Delhi and the recurring dengue outbreaks, stem from a national failure to address problems effectively. In a recent interview with Moneycontrol, Murthy pointed out that India’s innovation landscape heavily depends on adopting foreign technologies rather than creating original solutions. This reliance, he argued, has hindered the nation from making significant advancements in problem-solving and technological independence. His remarks have sparked widespread discussion, shedding light on the broader issue of India’s approach to innovation, research, and development.Murthy’s observations also coincided with the announcement of the Infosys Prize 2024 winners, where leading researchers and scientists were recognized for their contributions across six categories. These developments provide a context for evaluating India’s progress in addressing critical challenges and nurturing intellectual excellence.
Narayana Murthy’s concerns: The Indian mindset and innovation gaps
Murthy criticised the Indian mindset for its limited focus on defining and solving problems. He remarked, “We have not been able to build large databases, and without big data, AI (artificial intelligence) has no value. A large language model (LLM) doesn’t make any sense.” According to Murthy, this fundamental gap restricts India’s ability to leverage modern technologies like artificial intelligence effectively.
Murthy questioned India’s lack of homegrown innovations, stating, “Which area has India invented? Please give me an example.” He highlighted how the nation’s dependence on adapting foreign technologies, rather than creating its own, has delayed progress in areas like public health and environmental management. Despite decades of awareness, critical problems like dengue fever and Delhi’s air pollution remain unresolved.
Murthy also defended the IT services industry, arguing that criticism aimed at it for lacking innovation should be contextualised within the nation’s broader inability to address systemic issues. He implied that while the IT industry is often singled out, the underlying challenge lies in a national deficiency in innovation and research.
Infosys Prize 2024: Celebrating intellectual excellence
The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2024 in six categories, honouring contemporary researchers for their exceptional contributions. The awards, each carrying a cash prize of $100,000, reflect a commitment to recognizing and fostering scientific excellence.
The 2024 Awardees
- Economics: Arun Chandrasekhar from Stanford University was recognized for his pioneering work in the field of economics.
- Engineering and Computer Science: Shyam Gollakota from the University of Washington received the award for his groundbreaking contributions in engineering.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Mahmood Kooria from the University of Edinburgh was honoured for his significant work in humanities.
- Life Sciences: Siddhesh Kamat from the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Pune, won the prize for his research in life sciences.
- Mathematical Sciences: Neena Gupta from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, was awarded for her work in mathematics.
- Physical Sciences: Vedika Khemani from Stanford University received recognition for her contributions to physical sciences.
Bridging the gap between excellence and action
Murthy’s critique aligns with the reality that India continues to grapple with challenges like air pollution and vector-borne diseases, which have far-reaching health and economic implications. For instance, Delhi’s pollution crisis has seen little improvement despite years of policy interventions, while dengue outbreaks strain public health systems annually.
While the Infosys Prize underscores India’s potential in fostering intellectual brilliance, the disconnect between research achievements and practical problem-solving remains evident. Murthy’s call to shift focus toward innovation that addresses real-world challenges is a reminder of the urgent need for actionable research.
