http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/428494/1/.html
MM Lee launches book by Infosys founder Murthy
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 May 2009 2329 hrs
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MM Lee launches book by Infosys founder Murthy
SINGAPORE: One of India's most prominent businessmen, Narayana Murthy, has said the accountability of India's political system must be improved for the country to move forward.
His comments came as the country is holding the world's largest democratic elections.
Mr Murthy, the founder of IT company Infosys, was in Singapore to launch a book.
Nasdaq-listed Infosys employs about 100,000 people in 22 countries. But its founder lives in a three-bedroom house and drives a 1.5-litre Opel Astra. Mr Murthy does not watch TV nor party.
He said the reason he started business is because as a young man, entrepreneurship was the best way he could serve his community.
And he said Minister Mentor Lee is his hero.
"Singapore is a real example of a country that has transformed herself from a third world country to a first world country in my own lifetime. All in, an environment of peace and harmony in a multicultural world, thanks of course to a cadre of aspirational and value-based leadership which has indeed led by example," said Mr Murthy.
"Singapore serves as a great example for all countries, both developing and developed. I'm so happy that my hero, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, is releasing the book here in Singapore," he added.
Mr Murthy believes the transparency and accountability of India's political system must be improved for the country to move forward.
And these are some of the views detailed in his book titled "A Better India: A Better World", which was launched by Minister Mentor Lee on Monday.
Mr Lee said: "There are limitations in the Indian constitutional system and the Indian political system that prevents it from going at high speed.
"I did not realise it until we engaged India closely. Since then we have realised that whatever the political leadership may want to do, it must go through a very complex system at the centre, and then even a more complex system in the various states.
"And the amount of work that is on the shoulders of these Ministers makes it necessary for each man, each Minister to be like Mr Murthy but Mr Murthy is a rare individual.
"So Indians will go at a tempo which is decided by their constitution, by their ethnic mix, by their voting patterns and the resulting coalition governments, which makes for very difficult decision making."
Mr Lee had told Mr Murthy previously that India needed political leaders like him. But Mr Murthy said he has no political ambition.
- CNA/ir
MM Lee launches book by Infosys founder Murthy
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 May 2009 2329 hrs
Photos 1 of 3
Video
MM Lee launches book by Infosys founder Murthy
SINGAPORE: One of India's most prominent businessmen, Narayana Murthy, has said the accountability of India's political system must be improved for the country to move forward.
His comments came as the country is holding the world's largest democratic elections.
Mr Murthy, the founder of IT company Infosys, was in Singapore to launch a book.
Nasdaq-listed Infosys employs about 100,000 people in 22 countries. But its founder lives in a three-bedroom house and drives a 1.5-litre Opel Astra. Mr Murthy does not watch TV nor party.
He said the reason he started business is because as a young man, entrepreneurship was the best way he could serve his community.
And he said Minister Mentor Lee is his hero.
"Singapore is a real example of a country that has transformed herself from a third world country to a first world country in my own lifetime. All in, an environment of peace and harmony in a multicultural world, thanks of course to a cadre of aspirational and value-based leadership which has indeed led by example," said Mr Murthy.
"Singapore serves as a great example for all countries, both developing and developed. I'm so happy that my hero, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, is releasing the book here in Singapore," he added.
Mr Murthy believes the transparency and accountability of India's political system must be improved for the country to move forward.
And these are some of the views detailed in his book titled "A Better India: A Better World", which was launched by Minister Mentor Lee on Monday.
Mr Lee said: "There are limitations in the Indian constitutional system and the Indian political system that prevents it from going at high speed.
"I did not realise it until we engaged India closely. Since then we have realised that whatever the political leadership may want to do, it must go through a very complex system at the centre, and then even a more complex system in the various states.
"And the amount of work that is on the shoulders of these Ministers makes it necessary for each man, each Minister to be like Mr Murthy but Mr Murthy is a rare individual.
"So Indians will go at a tempo which is decided by their constitution, by their ethnic mix, by their voting patterns and the resulting coalition governments, which makes for very difficult decision making."
Mr Lee had told Mr Murthy previously that India needed political leaders like him. But Mr Murthy said he has no political ambition.
- CNA/ir
