Murthy's book release in April

A compendium of Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy’s speeches is ready to be released on April 20. “A collection of my speeches is coming out as a book,” Murthy said after launching online bookstore Pustak.co.in, here on Thursday.

“In the last 15 years I have delivered about 150 speeches on various issues like economic reforms, urban planning, education, leadership and values. I have selected about 40 of them for the book,” he said. The book will be published by the Penguin. Speaking on the importance of reading books, Murthy noted that good books help people develop a healthy attitude towards life. “Reading is rewarding. It makes you happy and content in life,” he said.

Anand Rao, Founder & CEO of Pustak.co.in said that Pustak is India’s largest online bookstore with a catalogue over 12 million titles and and 25 million books. Books are available online under 32 categories including education, law, medicine, finance, arts and science.

“Pustak is an attempt to bring and make available titles which otherwise were out of reach of those who needed it,” Rao said.

Customers will have to order for books online and they will get them at their doorsteps. Pustak is targeting sales of Rs 50 crore by 2010. “Pustak has notched up sales of over Rs 50 lakhs in the pilot project itself.

To begin with, the focus will be on imported books and over time, we would be looking at promoting local titles as well,” he added. The company has offices in Bangalore and San Jose in the US. It provides free international shipping from the US into India on each of the books it sells.