Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has called upon the youth to be the vehicle of change, particularly in eradicating poverty and ushering in prosperity in society.
Delivering an address at the 65th annual convocation of Karnatak University here on Wednesday, he said that despite widespread existence of illiteracy, malnutrition, poverty, sickness and lack of sanitation, India had an economic environment for the first time in 300 years that engendered a confidence that we could indeed overcome poverty and create a better future for every Indian.
“The unique instrument to bring in [this] transformation is our youth. There are significant changes around me that tell me that the youngsters of today will dispel the darkness around us and make this a better country for everyone of us—the urban and the rural, the rich and the poor and the educated and the not-so-well-educated. The youth should shun apathy and become proactive in solving the problems of our society instead of expecting others to do it,” Mr. Murthy said.
He said that 30 years from now this country would have a set of 40-60 year-olds who would be different from the current 50 and 60 years old like him. “They will be full of confidence, hope, and faith in the country. They will create a developed India, an India without problems of poverty, illiteracy, mal-nutrition and sickness,” Mr. Murthy added.
Governor and Chancellor of the university Vajubhai R. Vala presented gold medals to the candidates. Vice-Chancellor Pramod B. Gai, Registrar M. N. Joshi, and Registrar (Evaluation) M. Basavanna were present.