Infosys founder and chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy has apologised for his “explanation” on why the national anthem wasn’t played as it should be during President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s visit to the IT giant’s Mysore campus on Sunday.
“If the media statement has hurt anybody’s sentiments, I deeply apologise,” Murthy said in a statement.
“We played the instrumental version of the national anthem so that we could all sing along, and all of us did so. We wished to share the pride of being an Indian in the gracious presence of our President. We are informed that this is as per protocol.
“We have always kept the interest of India foremost in our minds and our work speaks for itself. We are a proud Indian company, with strong universal ethos of transparency, accountability and honesty. It has always been our endeavour to represent India with the highest standards of respect and enable it to take its rightful place in the world economy.”
***
How the media followed our story
CNN-IBN: Murthy as Prez would be a shame
The New Indian Express: Blogs boil at Murthy’s anthem remark
In addition, the churumuri coverage figured in both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature on Tuesday (see YouTube video above). Legislators cutting across party lines condemned the “insult” to the National Anthem.
Brandishing copies of newspapers carrying details of the churumuri coverage of the issue, Vatal Nagaraj and ‘Mukhya Mantri‘ Chandru demanded stern action before Home Minister M.P. Prakash pacified them.
***
To all the readers of churumuri.com, and to those who were incensed enough to leave a comment, we say thank you.
10 April 2007 at 9:32 pm
‘“If the media statement has hurt anybody’s sentiments, I deeply apologise,” Murthy said in a statement.’
coming barely a few months after the pm questioned the country’s “chalta hai” attitude, the phrasing of the apology stumps me.
why the “if” to start off the statement? if no one protests, does that mean that mr. murthy would not apologize? should the apology not be completely unconditional? does it take some people to be hurt for mr. murthy to apologize and/or retract the original nonsensical unpatriotic statement?
- s.b.
10 April 2007 at 9:37 pm
no ‘IF’ Mr. NRN, I am ashamed to say that you ARE a malaise for this country. Whatever least respect I had for you and defended your actions till date, I regret it.
Remember, you are trying to be role model on the wrong side of patriotism! I don’t find any difference in attitudes of yours and the grandson of our beloved former, farmer Prime Minister from Karnataka.
Except a few, no one in your Organization has the balls to stand up and say that you made a mistake. To hell with you and your Organization.
10 April 2007 at 9:56 pm
Well done Churumuri for highlighting the issue .The power of bloggers is slowly catching up .
Sources tell me that Churumuri is quite popular among the kannadigas working in Infosys these days . There are always HUSH HUSH discussions on blog posts in Infy Canteen .
The popularity has travelled from Atlanta->Washington->Bangalore(India) and from media .Though None of the Management guys are talking about openly about the NRN related posts wht I got the feeling is there are mixed response .
Also my source says that top guys very well know about ‘Happening in CHURUMURI’….Hearing that I think the Infy PRO is trying to locate your Mysore Number or may have called already .
Did you get any calls ??
10 April 2007 at 10:01 pm
This incident has taught all of us a lesson, to be precise, a FANTASTIC lesson. The true ‘baniya’ inside NRN has been exposed, by none other than himself. Any self-respecting indian would not adore NRN anymore. My sincere thanks to NRN for his statement and the apology which gave us a clear picture of what he is, and what he is not. Otherwise we would have made him a role model for our children!
10 April 2007 at 10:09 pm
churumuri’s moment of fame!!
Let’s take things with a little sense of perspective shall we.
Not singing the national anthem when the President was around was probably a big mistake, and let’s face it, his reply clearly showed that he knew he had screwed up big time, but trying to put the best face on it. At least he has apologized, unlike Lalu Prasad Yadav who continually defends his sitting during the national anthem.
What is laughable is our ‘representatives’ calling for him to be ‘deported’ and ‘prosecuted’ for such an incident when they routinely and continually debase our Constitution, our democracy and our sense of pride in both by their antics in the House. Nice way to divert our attention from the power cuts, water shortages and inflation. If only media-spurred Presidential candidates f***ed up like this more, they wouldn’t have to bother trying to get any work done as they ‘deport’ all the guilty parties concerned.
If NRN’s actions (i.e., his media statement after the event and not the actual non-singing of the national anthem) amounts to an ‘insult’, perhaps we should also punish those media outlets who published the news since it amounts to ‘publication’ under the law. That would also include, churumuri.wordpress.com
10 April 2007 at 10:36 pm
Maybe NRN will now introspect about his political ambitions (at least taking a couple of minutes off from his busy schedule) and tone down any PR blitz about his nobleness.
Hope the infosys PR and NRN himself see the views expressed by some kannadigas (and others from Karnataka), and take them constructively.
Some of us may have been hurtful in our comments, but please see where it is coming from. We (actually I – an anonymous coward :)) believe the infosys management should understand that they are portraying a level of hubris by their media statements, which is fine if they just stay as an IT services company. What bothers us is when we see their higher ups bad mouthing our state and our city, while they also know they owe the biggest due to our city, our state and our culture.
10 April 2007 at 11:14 pm
Good job Churmuri! “Churmuriya khaara NR Narayana Murthygala nethigge hattide anta kaanutte.”
While reading articles about NRN issue, a saying pops up in my mind, by Lord Macaulay, February in 1835 at British Parliament.
“I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.”
“Have they achieved their goal? Is Mr.NRN the victim of too much globalization?”
Simplicity has always been common to NRN’s Life. But was this simplicity so much that it could humble such a great IT Icon from singing his own country’s national anthem?! The statement made by NRN has raised a speculative thought in my mind to re-consider the view I had created for him. He had nurtured Infosys to a “world class” organization. In doing so, I think he has traveled too far away that, the cultures of other countries have made him to feel ashamed of his own National anthem being played, that too in his own land!
Well that he has apologized for the act he has done, let’s give him a chance to prove his words. But for people of India, this should be wake up warning call! Remember the success we have got so far is due to flexibility and adaptability of Indian culture to the Western ideas/model. It is the openness and non-violent character of Indianism that helps us assimilate progressive ideas for our future development. Don’t feel ashamed about your nation instead feel PROUD. Because you are the Nation
Yeah! I agree reality bites. But its our land. Its INCREDIBLE INDIA! Live for it.
Mera Bharat Mahaan!
10 April 2007 at 11:15 pm
hi,
Thanks a lot for uncovering the true Murthy. Murthy recently made a statement that he paid taxes to circumvent a query on what he has done for Karnataka and India.
I studied INFY’s balance sheet from last year. NRN probably includes the payroll taxes he pays on his employees salaries in US under the head of taxes in Indian Balance Sheet!!! Is this a correct practice!! Can some accounting whizkid help unravel the scam that is being perpetrated here
10 April 2007 at 11:33 pm
By this apology, he has come out in his true colours! Why not NRN as PM! He seems to have all the attributes of an Indian politician.
Incidentally, what was Nilekeni doing .After all he is the current head of Infy and when the head of the Nation visits the campus, protocol demanded that the company was represented by the working Directors and not by a retired mentor. He should apologize for the insult to the National Anthem and remove NRN from the post of mentor etc.
10 April 2007 at 11:44 pm
[...] Made into an issue by Churmuri, the “chief mentor” of Infosys was forced to tender an apology. [...]
11 April 2007 at 12:12 am
We feel proud of churumuri.com for safeguarding the national interest. By this, the confidence on media will increase. Thanks again.
11 April 2007 at 12:28 am
Congratulations to KP for focusing on this issue!
As bloggers we have lots to do and we will do more with intelligent editors like KP.
DB
11 April 2007 at 12:55 am
KP, You should advertise Churumuri as a stress reduction service that provides a free, virtual punching bag.
How’s this for a punch line (err, so to speak. :-))
“Come one and all, and take out your daily frustrations on Infosys’ Narayana Murthy”
11 April 2007 at 1:05 am
In another dastardly incident, which bloggers around the country will no doubt take up, another ‘famous’ Indian has been caught desecrating the national colours by cutting a cake made up of the national flag.
Clearly, this ‘national icon’, who has the least possible respect for India, its culture, history, ethos, people has spat upon the dignity and the pride of India, and must forthwith be punished harshly.
This vile abaser of Indian pride has, in the recent past been responsible for an even worse denigration of India on the cricket field, but is yet to be punished, a suitable method, I hope the ardent posters of churumuri will contribute to thinking up of.
For more details, check out..
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/sports/04_2007/sachin-lands-in-cake-controversy-38212.html
11 April 2007 at 1:22 am
What about the Honorable M.P. and a former journo who is defending the “national such- iconkar ” and the Indian High Commission the co-perpetrators of the crime?
11 April 2007 at 2:03 am
-sorry but almost all of us proud indians are shy of our own values in presence of foreigners-we blog in english speak usa style english and want to live in usa-why murthy is different
11 April 2007 at 2:15 am
Alok old Story ..allige bittbidoNa..Now the Hot topic is NRN.
Lets cling to this news item.
11 April 2007 at 2:17 am
The statement was obviously tailor-made to suit the occasion. There doesn’t seem to be an iota of truth or misgiving in what Murthy says. It’s a ready made rebuttal.
Kudos to Churumuri for a job well done!
11 April 2007 at 4:27 am
This blog seems to have been founded on a singular premise of bashing Narayana Murthy and Infosys, but has other pretensions. And it is thriving well and will continue to do as long as it does not stray from its primary preoccupation. I wonder how long this site would sustain if its life-line — BASHING-NARAYANAMURTHY — were held off. (This sort of reminds me of what sustains Pakistan: bashing India.)
Nobody’s above criticism. When Gandhi isn’t spared, who’s Narayana Murthy …?
Here’s my two cents to the armchair-pundits that run this site: at least be truthful. Rename this site to MurthyBash.com and cut all other pretensions. By acknowledging what wins you your bread, you’re lessening your sins.
11 April 2007 at 5:53 am
Ombudsman? More like Brownnoseman!!
It is to our good fortune that Churumuri is less pretentious than your moniker. Now go in peace.
DB
11 April 2007 at 8:23 am
Is NRN being targetted because he is a soft target?
Where was this hue and cry when Churumuri published a photo of our great Railway minister sitting when the national anthem was being played ON REPUBLIC DAY? Where were our great patriotic legislators, who are demanding that NRN be sent out of the country? Why is Lalu still a railway minister?
Where was the Churumuri impact?? Is it because Churumuri scared s*** of being branded as an upper-caste, right-wing blog if it asked legitimate questions against a “champion of the backward castes”?
11 April 2007 at 9:42 am
Well done KP. The basic etiquette in this global world of business is ‘MUTUAL RESPECT’. Any person, who touches this land including the people of foreign origin, should respect the law of the land. If the foreigners do not respect the laws of the land, they can be detained or even deported? What does Mr. NRN do, when his foreign clients sing their national anthem during his foreign visit? I presume he is forced to respect the same. If he can respect their anthem, why should not they reciprocate the same? If they do not reciprocate, they should be taught and that is part of global business practice. It has been taught in all leading world class business schools. It seems, our service sector fellows are stooping to a level to become ‘more loyal than the king’ type characters to woo their clients. This single issue shows the attitude of IT czars, barring none, who think and behave like they hold every one for ransom. If one can not respect his mother, motherland, mother tongue, who will respect you?
11 April 2007 at 10:54 am
Thanks KP for calling the bluff of this cunning media manipulator called NRN..Media has always overpotrayed his role and made him a demi god..His display of hubris is getting into our nerves now. Every suchh statement of his potrays Infosys also in bad light. The shrewd no nonsense current incumbent must be feeling really piqued by NRN’s unwarranted statements and his propensity to get into unnecessary controversies.
11 April 2007 at 11:05 am
The ‘If’ sounds like a recent apology from Ricky Ponting who said , ‘I am ready to give one, if Sharad Pawar needs one!’ Finally Pawar had to say, ‘Give one, and let’s be done with it’!
11 April 2007 at 11:19 am
Perhaps some of you guys are thinking that Mr.NRN is great, did service to nation…made Infosys – the world class organisation. But is that the only company which has grown into world class organisation?? What about TCS, WIPRO,Satyam etc…etc…
What I meant is, the growth of the above companies is just an accident or by-product of Globalisation. They have made their fortunes by body-shopping (yes, its the business model of these companies).
But you never see Premzi or Ratan Tata speaking the way Narayana Murthy speaks. He thinks that he is the only one creating the wealth, he is the only one who is commited to values.
By the way if you want to know more about the tru colours of Mr.NRN please visit http://kamalsinha.com/iit/people/narayana-murthy/
11 April 2007 at 12:14 pm
churumuri.com, kannada prabha, prajavaani ,deccan herald—– you guys have upheld true values of democracy by reporting the incident. the reactions from people from across the world makes us believe all is not lost.
i congratulate karnataka legislators who,cutting across party lines , condemned the dictatoristic statement and stood for language and culture.
VAATAL NAGARAJ,—– DESERVES APPLAUSE FOR HIS SPEECH.
MUKHYAMANTRI CHANDRU— CLASS APART.
11 April 2007 at 12:28 pm
Ombudsman and Goldstar!
You said it right. NRN can not be isolated on the issues of these kind, right? All these days we adored him to be different person than Lalu Prasads. Now, as per your statements, he is no better than the unscrupulous legislators. If NRN fanclub can accept that NRN is no better than a petty politician, we all unconditionally withdraw our comments.
Can I tell you one thing? NRN is a creation of media. Unfortunately lesser mortals like us start believing the projections of media. And even NRN started believing the larger than life images of self. I wish Sudha Murthy would pen a new novel ‘Dollar Maga’ (Son of the Dollar) aka ‘Dollar Sose’ (Daughter-in-law of the Dollar).
11 April 2007 at 12:28 pm
Great job everyone for bringing the incident to light. Warmest regards to Deccan Herald, Churmuri. Surprising that other newspapers like Times of India hide such information. Support true Karntaka media like DH, Prajavani
11 April 2007 at 1:05 pm
CHURMURI FOLLOWED UP WHAT THE GOOD OLD DECCAN HERALD/PRAJAVANI DID. HOW FAIR IS IT TO CALL CHURMURI IMPACT? THERE IS NO DOUBT YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, BUT PLEASE DO GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DOUBT.
11 April 2007 at 1:06 pm
ALSO IF THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS HAD NOT DONE WHAT IT DID ON PAGE ONE YOU THINK OUR MLAs WOULD HAVE READ CHURUMURI. SO PLEASE ALSO GIVE CREDIT TO NIE.
11 April 2007 at 1:26 pm
Just following the apologist for Murthy and their arguments.
1. Lalu did it, so whats wrong.
2. KP has a axe to grind.
3. Upper caste targetting.
4. well its not Churmiri, but deccan herald is the credit goes.
Somehow they want to seem as being victimised and not even giving credit fro Churmuri.Why in first place TIMESOF INDIA, VIJAY KARNATAK and our ever enthusiastic TV Channels not reported in the first place.
If it was not for Churmuri the news would have died as it is with deccan herald.
Congratulation KP for taking a stand. We kannadigas are very proud of our journalists.
11 April 2007 at 2:12 pm
All those legislators who are baying for Murthy’s blood have contributed nothing to Karnataka. To consider them as angels and protectors of democracy is preposterous.
11 April 2007 at 2:36 pm
…let those politicians who have taken the oath to upheld our Constitutional values not be spared for doing everything contrary to that …. hmm… except Zameer Ahmed who had taken the oath in the name of Kumaraswamy, as this becomes null and void the very next moment…
11 April 2007 at 3:22 pm
Did Mr.Murthy apologised, di he feel shame on his uttenrence. The so called apology does not seems to suggest he feel sorry.
“If the media statement has hurt anybody’s sentiments, I deeply apologise.”
First he is trying to imply its media’s statement…whatever that means. Then he apologising for “section” of people who are offended, Does it imply majority of Indians are not outraged?
Granted some people have come openly defending by…. blaming politician…usual thing…Are these people now constitute majorityin India. Are they subscribe to the same views?
11 April 2007 at 9:48 pm
Zulfi:
Get your English grammar right. The ‘media statement’ is not the same as the ‘media’s statement”. Read the apology again. He is obviously referring to HIS statement in the media and not the media’s interpretation of his statement.
Secondly, he says ‘anyone’. Which could be the majority as well, if the majority is in fact appalled by the MEDIA STATEMENT.
But if you are going to read in your own prejudices into the apology then go ahead and don’t let the niceties of grammar or logic stop you.
11 April 2007 at 10:02 pm
BLOGGERS FOLLOWING BAD JOURNALISTIC PRACTICE?
i had recently devloped faith in blogs, thinking they give unbiased picture…this episode has exposed this myth…bloggers too have started misquoting personalities, create news items out of nothing…
Congratulations to Churmuri, for joining the bad journalistic practices of Karnataka!
Lesson1: do not have press conferences (why feed SSLC failed journalists?- only to be misquoted/ quoted out of context), but give press releases…
Lesson2: do not believe any sensational news, whether on media or blogs!
12 April 2007 at 2:29 am
Mr. Raviraj Valalmbe Gowda, cut the drivel.
12 April 2007 at 5:53 am
Going by the posts on this blog, it is clear that Mr. KP has a personal grudge against Mr. Murthy or Infosys. I agree with Ombudsman that the name of this blog should be changed! While I do not support Mr. Murthy for what he has done, I also do not agree with the abuse (in the disguise of comments) being posted on blogs. Looks like people are venting their frustration in the form of comments. People who haven’t benefitted by Infy’s growth (job, land, etc) or people working there and not happy are the main one’s posting comments. How many of us here are really patriotic? I am sure that barring a few, most of don’t even know the complete National Anthem!!! So why so much fuss over this issue? Why accuse someone of not being patriotic when we ourselves are not! The politicians have got a reason to divert the public attention from the pathetic condition that Bangalore has now come to. It is because of their greed that Bangalore is in it’s present state. Mr Vatal Nagraj’s only objective is to promote Kannada and black out hoardings in english. Is this what we expect from our MLA? He claims that he speaks only in Kannada. Then will he sing the National Anthem or will he require a version in Kannada? Will this not be an insult to the country? I think bloggers should desist from cheap publicity by making a big issue of things which do not require attention. There are many other issues in Bangalore and the country on which a journalist ( a true journalist) can focus!!! Hope that makes sense Mr KP.
12 April 2007 at 10:18 am
I think it just exposes a kind of inferiority he still harbours inspite of being such a successful businessman. At the end of the day, it is not all about pleasing the “foreigners” and making money. There is more to life than just that, pride, nationalism, patriotism all amount to something. He has got so caught up in his business that everything else has stopped mattering to him. and yes btw I dont think he has done anyone a favour. He is a successful businessman and he has made his money and in the bargain provided employment to people. so ?
12 April 2007 at 11:06 am
Narayan Murthy might have built a world class software empire, it may have generated jobs, he may have paid taxes. All this is fine. But this does not give him any license to interfere in everything not related to him. He has become too arrogant, looking at the way he lectures on everything under the sun. His habit of finding fault with the system, government and society may earn him a few applauses from his blind admirers, but he should remember that it is the same system that nurtured him and his empire. Whatever may be the faults of our politicians, but the support given by the governments to his company must not be forgotten. Instead of appreciating it, he whines and cribs about the system, infrastructure at every platform, function. Really pathetic!!! Look at his arrogant statement that this land has benefited from the taxes his company pays. You, his brainless admirers, please note that even a sweeper pays taxes. Actually, his contribution is more worth than all your hero’s worth.
His fans talk about his vision. All his statements show that his vision is limited to IT and the corporate world. He can’t see a thing beyond this and has lot of contempt for all things non-corporate. He has clearly displayed his contempt for rural people, regional languages. He blabbers on an on about income, revenue, globalisation, blah blah blah. But life is not just about markets, money and income. Culture, languages, history, agriculture – there are so many aspects that have to be respected. He behaves as if only the IT sector is the one which is working and all others are sitting idle. He sees regional languages in a negative light. He sees things related to language and culture as parochialism, a threten to his globalised world. Words like culture, language, arts have no mening for him, ther are a waste of time for this great so-called hero.
12 April 2007 at 12:08 pm
nobody seems to be neutral – just like when Sanjay Gandhi functioned as ECA.
by the way are our patriotic MLAs baying for NRN’s blood because anyway he will not finance their election fund? so there’s nothing to lose but get some publicity in the bargain. so why not thrash NRN and make some patriotic noise?
12 April 2007 at 7:14 pm
I totally agree that it is a wrong word to use, but i will not agree that NRN doesn’t have good feelings or good attitude against our country..
Let me come to what the f***king vaatal nagaraja has mentioned, that they should deport him out of the state. First i ask him and all the members in the assembly to sing our national anthem once correctly if possible… and if possible let them explain what does the national anthem… then i will agree with them….
i am very sure that the day is not far when the media and the ministers will start say, the way you shit is wrong and they will definitely make a big issue on the ways a person is shitting… well done media…..
16 April 2007 at 6:05 pm
Though I do not have much to say about this issue for reasons of my own, still I cannot stop myself from expressing awe at this wonderful platform I accidentally discovered only today. I am really glad that I am living in and part of the changing times. How wonderful !
17 April 2007 at 11:21 pm
What a sorry state of affairs..folks commenting here got NRN to pick on to make comments and support the stand of the goons who have no spine to take a country where NRN has taken it !! One character here comments he is ashamed to make NRN his children’s role model !!! What nonsense !! Other one comments..he talks too much and is arrogant. What nonsense !! We need people like him or the goons for this country?? One small issue being blown out of proportions by media and the politicos who have no character and the great patriots here singing along karoke…really a pity. God save this country.
18 April 2007 at 10:06 am
1. Was Narayana Murthy embrassed while offering Indian labour, regarded as cheap labour across the world
2. Was Narayana Murthy embrassed while Amassing acres of Indian soil to supply foriegn demand
3. Was Narayana Murthy embrassed while running away from chairman of BIAL, when to respond to the Govt questions
4. Was Narayana Murthy embrassed while escorting his foriegn clients from Airport to his campuses
5. Was Narayana Murthy embrassed because it was Indian President unlike any foreign president visiting