PANAJI: Politicians should be paid salaries equivalent to top executives of the corporate world, said Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy , while discussing ways to make the Indian government corruption-free.

Speaking at the inaugural lecture of the DD Kosambi festival of ideas at Panaji on Tuesday, Murthy said, "By not paying them the salaries and incentives they deserve for the hard work expected of them, we are unwittingly pushing them to do things they shouldn't be doing."

When a politician tries to make an honest living, he or she is not given enough assistance for the job they are doing. "A politician's job involves hard work, lot of travel and they should get compensated adequately. Currently what they are officially paid is no where enough to cover the costs for doing their duty." He cited an example of a techie who left his high paying job in Silicon Valley to become an MP in India and now is struggling to do his normal work as a politician.

Stating that the government alone cannot be held responsible to make the country tick, he said people have to work hard and contribute their bit. "We also need a workforce that is hard-working and has pride in the nation. Compared to other Asian countries, India's young professionals have the shortest working hours and the lowest levels of discipline. Rather than emulate the hardworking workers in China and Japan, they would rather adapt western ways, and whine about working for eight hours," he remarked.

Murthy stressed that the only path to progress is for a nation to create enough jobs to keep unemployment among the working population low-2 to 3 per cent, like in developed countries. "This does not mean it is the government's responsibility to create jobs, but the government must act as a catalyst to bring in more businesses and encourage entrepreneurs and most importantly, foreign direct investment," he said.

Make visa for business travel easy

Lambasting our corrupt and inefficient visa system, Murthy remarked, "India is the most difficult country to travel to. In 2013 alone, I have encountered at least 18 instances where high-profile executives, famous researchers and professors faced harassment, delays and were even asked for bribes by visa-handling authorities," he said. India offers visa on arrival facility to travellers from Vietnam, Luxemburg and Finland, but not for visitors from UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia-making travel difficult for our five biggest customers of software and IT solutions the only industry that gives India a competitive edge over others.

What's even more ludicrous is that the Bangalore airport, which contributes 38% of India's software business, does not have visa on arrival facility," he said. Murthy also stressed that stay in India should be hassle-free and affordable for foreigners, and state governments should encourage high-quality English schools and restaurants serving world cuisine to cater to the needs of expats.

Organized every year by the directorate of art and culture to honour late Goan historian and mathematical genius DD Kosambi, the festival features lectures by great thinkers.

Infosys ready to offer Mysore facility to train politicians in governance and economy

Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy on Tuesday said he would provide the software giants training facility in Mysore, free of cost, to create a finishing school for politicians where 500 budding politicians can be trained in basics of economics, international negotiations, international trade and law apart from other relevant subjects.

Murty said he had first suggested this to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later to Manmohan Singh. But so far nothing has come out of it. If all political parties join hands for this venture, and put together a staff of professors, we would be happy to provide this facility, he said, answering a question from an irate teacher who demanded to know why politicians were not mandated to receive professional training.

Murthy sad for younger generation

Murthy fielded a large number of questions from the audience, but ended the evening on a sad note. Reacting to a young woman from the audience who said she felt unsafe on her own street corner, Murthy said, "I have to hang my head in shame. It is not your (the younger generations') fault, it is our fault that we are leaving such a country to you. We have let you down," he said.

Put tax money to good use

"In China, officials are held accountable for an annual economic growth of 7% and if they do not reach their targets, they lose their jobs. Similar targets are set to ensure protection of environment, to check the crime rate, etc," explained Murthy. The media in India should hold officials and politicians accountable too to reach their targets and name persons responsible for every work and put out a rating card from time-to-time.

