Confidence, tolerance must for economic progress: Narayana Murthy

Expressing concern over rising instances of intolerance, Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy on Saturday urged the government to restore people's confidence and ensure tolerance for economic progress.

"The first priority of this government or any government at the centre or states should be to bring back confidence, energy, trust and enthusiasm in every citizen," Murthy said in a discussion on a news channel.

Observing that there was a considerable fear among minorities and migrants over their safety and security in light of some recent incidents, Murthy said unless there was no strife, no distress and no fear, it would be difficult to address problems of poverty, inequality and disparity.

"As I am not a politician and not interested in politics, I don't want to comment on some things happening in the country. Everyone should be made to feel that this is my country and I will work for its betterment," he asserted.

Citing data spanning over 300 years, Murthy said no country ever made economic progress unless the majority community respected the minority community and stopped oppressing it.

Recalling the ill-treatment of south Indians in then Bombay in 1967 at the hands of Shiv Sena, Murthy said when one region was in strife with other region in the country, there could be no peace or progress in such a situation.

"An environment of positivism was important to bring back growth and eliminate poverty," he added.

Murthy's remarks comes a day after the global rating agency Moody's research arm advised the NDA government to prevent fringe elements in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from making provocative statements, which were eroding its credibility in the country and overseas.