New Delhi: IT czar and co-founder of Infosys NR Narayana Murthy voiced concern on Friday that economic activity in India stalled during the UPA’s administration, despite the fact that Manmohan Singh, the extraordinary man, was in charge of affairs. He also said in the potential of the young generation to make India a worthy rival of China.

During a conversation with students at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, he said this.

“I used to be on the board of HSBC in London (between 2008 and 2012). In the first few years, when China was mentioned two to three times in the boardroom (during meetings), India’s name would be mentioned once,” Murthy said.

Narayan Murthy during a session on the book “Startup Compass” with its authors at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) stated, “For certain years (2008 to 2012) I used to be on the board of HSBC in London. In the first few years, when China was mentioned two to three times, India’s name would be mentioned once.”

He claimed that the country’s economy suffered under the present administration’s predecessor, the UPA, because of delays in making choices.

“But unfortunately, I dont know what happened afterwards. During Manmohan Singh’s government, who is an extraordinary individual, for whom I have tremendous respect, somehow India stalled. Decisions were not taken quickly, everything was delayed. And by the time I left (HSBC), if China’s name was mentioned 30 times, India’s name was hardly found to be mentioned once,” Murthy said as he credited former PM Manmohan Singh for 1991 economic reforms.

When asked where he sees India in the future, he said, “It is the responsibility of the young generation to make people mention India’s name, whenever they mention any other country’s name, particularly China and exuded confidence that the young generation will be able to do that.”

Praising the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre for bringing in ‘Make In India’ and ‘Startup India’, he said, “there was a time when most people from other countries looked down upon India, but today, there is a certain level of respect for the country, which has now become the world’s fifth largest economy.”

He also added, “During the period of 1978 to 2022, i.e 44 years, China has left India behind by six times. But I do think that if all the wonderful people sitting here this side to make things happen, India too will see similar respect as China today gets it.