The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Changing Bangalore's name will not make a difference'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Changing Bangalore's name will not make a difference'

Special Correspondent

Focus on improving infrastructure, says Narayana Murthy

Bangalore: He is one of the few successful and greatly admired Kannadigas in the business world. But N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chief Mentor and Non-Executive Chairman of India's second largest software exporter Infosys Technologies Limited, says that changing the name of the country's technology hub of Bangalore to a more local "Bengalooru" does not matter much to him as would improving the quality of life of Bangaloreans.

"For me, changing the name is not important. As a Kannadiga and as a person who speaks Kannada at home, you always called it Bengalooru. So I don't think that matters much," Mr. Murthy told presspersons on the sidelines of an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) convened by the company here on Tuesday.

Quality of life

Does this mean he is not in favour of the name change or not proud if it? "It is immaterial to me. This is not what I would spend my time on. I would spend my time on improving the quality of life of every Bangalorean," he shot back. "This name change is a very easy thing. The Government can issue an order and change it. That does not require any hard work," he said.

Mr. Murthy wanted the Government to be as committed about improving the State's infrastructure as it is over changing Bangalore's name to "Bengalooru."

"All this energy, enthusiasm and debate, instead, should be spent on how to improve the city's infrastructure, road safety, health care and education. Those are the issues that should be debated rather than Bangalore or Bengalooru," he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka