Mangaluru: Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy has called for a nationwide movement to promote organ donation, emphasising that such a collective effort—supported by citizens from all walks of life—could save thousands suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). He was addressing the Dr H Sudarshan Ballal Oration-2025, organised by the department of nephrology, KMC Mangaluru, on Tuesday, where he delivered a talk titled Role of Information Technology in Healthcare.
Murthy said India’s inability to consistently meet the economic and social aspirations of its people does not stem from a lack of talent or resources. Instead, he attributed the shortfall to a deeper issue — a widespread deficit of professionalism across institutions. According to him, professionalism is the critical ingredient that can transform sectors ranging from healthcare and education to politics and public administration.
Focus on professionalism
Elaborating on his idea of professionalism, Murthy said that a true professional is one who dedicates his life to his chosen field and remains committed to its rules, ethics, and discipline. He stressed that the individual’s loyalty must lie first with the profession and not with personal networks or associations.
“A professional is value-based, competent, and deeply focused on service to society. His primary allegiance must be to his profession, not to individuals,” he said. Personal relationships, he added, should never interfere with professional decisions. “Every engagement must begin on a clean slate. Decisions should be driven by data, logic, and fairness, not by bias or past associations,” he said, invoking the principle: ‘In God we trust, everybody else must bring data to the table’.
Murthy noted that when such principles guide everyday work, institutions become spaces where every individual—regardless of age or position—feels confident to express ideas and challenge decisions. This culture, he said, fuels innovation, enthusiasm, and organisational trust.
High aspirations and ethical courage
Murthy encouraged professionals from all sectors to cultivate high aspirations and moral courage in their careers. Dreaming big, he said, is essential for achieving meaningful societal change. “A plausible impossibility is always better than a convincing possibility,” he remarked, urging the audience to pursue visionary goals rooted in ethical conduct.
He also outlined the intangible resources that define a strong professional — intellect, knowledge, continuous learning, mindset, value system, relationships, and personal style. Describing the value system as an invisible protocol that guides ethical action, he said it must strengthen trust, energy, and confidence within the community.
Murthy emphasised that building a nation requires more than technical expertise or institutional reforms. It begins, he said, with individual professionals adopting principled behaviour in their daily interactions. This, in turn, builds social capital and sets standards that inspire entire institutions.
Praise for Dr H Sudarshan Ballal
The Infosys founder lauded senior nephrologist Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, describing him as an exemplary professional whose career reflects compassion, objectivity, and a lifelong commitment to service. Murthy said that leaders like Dr Ballal demonstrate how values-based professionalism can influence both medical practice and community welfare.
The oration drew enthusiastic participation from faculty members, medical professionals, students, and senior citizens. Many attendees described Murthy’s address as a compelling reminder that nation-building starts with everyday actions and attitudes within each profession.
Event highlights
Dr H Sudarshan Ballal delivered the oration, while Dr HS Ballal, pro-chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), presided over the event. Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, vice-chancellor of MAHE, attended as the chief guest. Dr B Unnikrishnan, dean of KMC Mangaluru, and other dignitaries were also present.
The event concluded with a renewed call for strengthening ethical frameworks in professional spaces and for rallying collective support toward organ donation awareness across India.