A better India; A better World - Excerpts

This book written by the software kingpin Mr.N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus of Infosys. This book is really inspiring and very insightful with good focus on what is expected out of every responsible individual and how we can contribute to society.

Some of the excerpts and good quotations, citations are extracted and written below which might boost my morale and confidence in testing times.

Three important seminal books that influenced my thinking deeply are

1. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber
2. My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
3. Peau Noire, Masques Blancs(Black Skins, White masks) by Franz Fanon

Max Weber laid the foundation for my belief that decent and hard working people with high aspirations make great nations, no matter what the odds are.

The biggest lesson for me from Gandhi's book and life is the importance of leading by example. I realized fairly early that this.

Some men see things as they are and ask why; I dream of things that never were and say why note? This is what great leadership is all about.

When, one day, you have made your mark on the world, remember that, in the ultimate analysis, we are all mere temporary custodians of the wealth we generate, whether it be financial, intellectual or emotional. The best use of all your wealth to SHARE IT with those less fortunate.

We need high aspirations. Aspirations energize us to overcome limitations posed by the context we are in. They engender and sustain hope, the main fuel of progress. They help us achieve miracles.

Create excellence in whatever you do. By Connecting these islands of excellence, you can create a critical mass for your revolution to change society.

To create a lasting legacy of decent leadership, just ask the question, 'What can I do so that people will miss me if I disappear tomorrow?'

As a leader you will have to decide on an objective that is laudable, exciting and aspirational.

Innovation comes from the power of the mind, a mind that is happy, energetic and enthusiastic.

Confident people attract good talent, and generosity is a sign of such confidence

Praise in public and criticize in private.

It is good to under-promise and over-deliver

When in doubt, disclose

1. I want to emphasize the importance of being trustworthy in all your dealings
2. Fear is natural but you should not let your actions be governed by it.
3. A supportive family is the bedrock upon which satisfying lives and careers are built.
4. Excellence in work leads to excellence in life and vice-versa. Unless you are happy person at home, you cannot be a happy person in the office.
5. Learn to manage yourself, especially your feelings, in a way that respects the dignity of others and yourself.
6. Live your life and lead your career in a way that makes a difference to your society.

Opportunities before you are endless.

A crucial factor for success has always been excellence.

Pursue excellence. Aim high and dream big. Make excellence in execution your core belief.

Excellence can be acquired only by relentless training, frank feedback and constant self-improvement.

Ethical behavior is the foundation for sustainable success.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

If you don’t have courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of your other virtues

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

We are what we repeatedly do

Discipline in thought is about objectivity, about using data and facts for arguments, and about supporting an idea purely based on its merits

Discipline in action is about doing the right thing without being influenced by money, power or any form of self-interest

We have to put in tremendous hard work and make short-term sacrifices for long-term glory

Our problems are man-made. Therefore, they may be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.

What do I expect from the India of 2067, after another sixty years? I want an india where every child will have access to decent education,health care, nutrition and shelter. I want an India where every child belonging to any race, religion and case is confident that there is a bright future for him/her if he/she is honest and hardworking. I want an India which receives respect from every global forum because we will be high performers; we will be peace-loving; we will gracious hosts; we will be fair; we wil be pluralistic and respect every faith; and we will be trustworthy.

A civilized society is one where good people become good citizens

Aspiration is the main fuel for progress

If you seek respect, you will not short-change your customers;

Trust and confidence in leaders what will motivate people to make sacrifices in the short term in the hope of betterment in the long term.

A great company does all that and strives to make the world a better place

Each time a man stands up to improve the lot of others, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope

Chance favours the prepared mind

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Follow your bliss; All else will follow

Aspirations, courage, principles, innovation and relentless focus on execution will carry you to greater success

In India, the Internet has the potential to transform social service initiatives. It can help network social work activities across the country.