Startup Founder's Airport Encounter with Narayana Murthy Goes Viral
A fintech entrepreneur recently shared a simple yet powerful story about meeting Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. The encounter happened at Indore airport and on a commercial flight to Bengaluru. Aditya Joshi, co-founder of fintech startup Pice, spent about ten minutes around the billionaire. He described Murthy as remarkably humble and approachable.
The Simple Travel Routine of a Billionaire
Joshi observed Murthy traveling without any special treatment. The seventy-nine-year-old tech icon had no entourage with him. He did not skip any queues at the airport. Murthy blended seamlessly with other passengers. He carried his own bag and placed it in the overhead bin himself. He sat in the second row of the economy cabin.
"He politely asked a fellow passenger to make a little space," Joshi wrote in his LinkedIn post. "He exchanged warm greetings with everyone around him." The complete absence of privilege stood out most to the startup founder. Murthy was returning to Bengaluru after inaugurating Express City in Ratlam for Kataria Jewellers in Madhya Pradesh.
Walking the Talk on Work Ethic
Reflecting on Murthy's famous views about work culture, Joshi added an important point. "When he says seventy hours work a week he has walked the talk," the entrepreneur noted. This observation connects Murthy's personal discipline with his public statements. It shows consistency between his words and actions.
Contrast Between Wealth and Demeanor
Joshi concluded his post by highlighting a striking contrast. Narayana Murthy possesses a net worth of nearly five billion dollars. Despite this immense wealth, he presented himself with great modesty. "He was the most humble person on the flight," Joshi stated. The founder praised Infosys and Murthy for their revolutionary impact on India.
"True greatness doesn't demand attention," Joshi wrote. "It just exists." This simple sentence captured the essence of his encounter. The post quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, attracting numerous reactions from users.
Social Media Echoes Admiration
Many users echoed Joshi's sentiments in the comments section. One individual described Murthy as a "humble, grounded billionaire who inspires by example." The user connected this behavior to cultural values in South India, particularly in Kerala. They mentioned a belief that wealth should never be flaunted in appearance or conduct.
Another commenter shared personal connections. "Narayan uncle and Sudha aunty are epitome of humanity and humility!" they wrote. This person had met the Murthy family multiple times through school connections. They challenged critics to build something like Infosys before complaining.
A third user appreciated the grounded nature of Joshi's description. "Spending even ten minutes observing someone in an ordinary setting like that can leave a lasting impression," they noted. The ordinary airport and flight setting made the humility more noticeable and impactful.
The viral post reminds everyone that true influence often comes with quiet dignity. Narayana Murthy's simple travel habits speak volumes about his character. They reinforce the values he advocates publicly through his own consistent behavior.
