INFOSYS CO-FOUNDER DISAPPROVES WFH ON PERMANENT BASIS; MAKES STATEMENT ON COVID-19 VACCINE 

As medical experts are drawing closer to a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus, Infosys co-founder and Chairman emeritus, NR Narayana Murthy said that people should not be charged for getting a coronavirus vaccine once it becomes available. 

Currently, large pharmaceutical companies such as Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and others have been optimistic about the results of coronavirus vaccine. 

Further in the interview, the tycoon emphasised that companies who can bear the cost should give the vaccine at no cost and produce it free.

“I believe (Covid-19 vaccine) should be a public good and everybody should be vaccinated free. These vaccines should be free for the entire population on the planet. All vaccine-producing companies should be compensated by the UN or the individual countries for their cost and not for huge profits,” Murthy told Economic Times in an exclusive interview. 

Talking about work from home (WFH) on a permanent basis, Murthy said; “We do it today as a temporary measure to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Let us remember most houses in our country are small and getting a secluded place at home where you can focus on work is difficult,” he added.

Even when talking about the idea of re-opening of schools for short durations with adequate safeguards, the Infosys co-founder stated that “We have to take all precautions—PPEs (personal protective equipment), social distancing, masks everything we have to. However, we cannot close our schools."

Murthy further explained how the country needs to generate 1 crore jobs annually for the next 15-20 years in order to eradicate poverty and it is a massive challenge.