IT industry veteran N. R. Narayana Murthy emphasised the urgent need to strengthen India’s national and institutional focus on research. He said research is the only path to building a better India and a better world. Speaking at the announcement of the Infosys Prize 2025, he urged the country to create an aspirational, merit-driven and competitive atmosphere for researchers across disciplines.
Research as the Engine of Discovery
Quoting Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, Murthy said research represents “the broadening of the mind.” He explained that research helps unravel the mysteries of nature, enables people to see what others have not, and inspires solutions that once seemed impossible.
He noted that the United States transformed its scientific landscape through former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s letter to Dr. Vannevar Bush, which resulted in the landmark report “Science — The Endless Frontier.” The report led to the creation of the National Science Foundation, which helped cement America’s position as a global leader in science, technology and space exploration.
Curiosity, Imagination and Persistence Drive Innovation
Murthy referenced thinkers including Jawaharlal Nehru, Richard Feynman, Alan Turing, Thomas Edison and Jennifer Doudna. He said all of them showed how curiosity, imagination and persistence form the foundation of scientific discovery.
He added that research thrives in universities, laboratories, libraries and companies where people embrace imagination and Socratic questioning. “Research effort needs audacity, daring and unbridled imagination,” he said. He emphasised that researchers must learn from failures, avoid repeating mistakes and continue improving.
Research Links Science, Society and Ethics
Murthy highlighted economist and Nobel laureate Dr. Amartya Sen, saying Sen’s work shows how development and freedom are deeply connected. He stressed that research in economics and social sciences helps society understand how science and technology translate into justice, dignity and prosperity.
He added that research in the humanities ensures that knowledge serves an ethical purpose. According to him, voices from Roosevelt to Nehru and from Fourier to Doudna all underline one message: research is humanity’s noblest collective enterprise.
Creating a Supportive Research Ecosystem
Murthy said India must recommit itself to nurturing a strong research environment. He called for a system that is meritocratic, competitive, welcoming and rewarding for scientists, engineers, economists, mathematicians and humanists.
He stated that researchers must find an intellectual environment that values ideas above titles or positions. “Creating such an ecosystem is a national duty,” he said, adding that research is the only way to honour the dreams of India’s founding fathers.
Fulfilling the Vision of a Better Future
As reported by ndtv.com, Murthy concluded by saying that research alone can help fulfil the vision of an India where every child, even in the remotest village, has access to nutrition, healthcare, education and opportunity. He urged the Infosys Prize 2025 laureates to carry forward this responsibility with imagination, courage and compassion.
