Founder of “Infosys” Narayana Murthy visits Viva’s office

20 November 2024

The laureate of the State Award of Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to Humanity through IT for 2023 Narayana Murthy, Founder of “Infosys”, visited Viva for participation in a joint press conference.Today on November 15, during the award ceremony at the Residence of the President of Armenia, Narayana Murthy, who is on a visit to Armenia, will receive the well-deserved award in high-tech industry. For fourteen years in a row, the General Partner of the award is Viva.

The joint press conference was presided by the laureate of the State Award Narayana Murthy, Viva General Director Armen Avetisian, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industries of Armenia Ruben Simonyan, “Synopsys Armenia” Director, Head of GIT Award Executive Board Hovik Musayelyan.

Viva Armenia General Director Armen Avetisian opened the press conference and welcomed guests. “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Narayana Murthy at our Company. Mr. Murthy is one of the leading experts in the field of high technologies. “Infosys” is a global leader in software services, entertaining an undisputed reputation as the largest developer of software, as well as physical and technological infrastructure. For 14 years, Viva has been supporting the IT sector in our country, that’s why we've been supporting this important event for 14 years․ The number of technology companies and startups in Armenia is increasing every year, which indicates a significant potential for the high-tech sector in the country. Today's meeting is a great opportunity to capture this potential, as well as to review and rethink our vision of the future. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in this important initiative, and I am confident that together we can make a significant contribution to the further development of high technologies in Armenia,” Armen Avetisian said.

“It is a great honor for Armenia to present a state award to distinguished figures in the technological field who have profoundly influenced global technological advancement. Our goal is to drive economic progress through knowledge-based, innovative solutions - an objective clearly reflected in the programs of the Armenian Government. This annual award ceremony, which draws industry giants to Armenia, showcases the transformative work of those who shape the world and further solidifies our commitment to positioning Armenia as a technological hub on the global stage. N. R. Narayana Murthy’s journey serves as an inspiring example for young people, showing what can be achieved through talent and perseverance. I am confident that this award ceremony, and the opportunity for our youth to engage with Mr. Murthy, will inspire many to follow in his footsteps, motivated by his insights, achievements, and legacy,” RA Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry Ruben Simonyan said.

“We are delighted that Armenia hosts the legends of the ICT sector every year. According to our data, Armenia is the only country that honors people who have made a significant contribution to the ICT sector. As the second laureate of the award ceremony, Steve Wozniak, said, "This award is the Nobel Prize of the IT field," which makes us very excited on the one hand, and on the other, it is a great responsibility. This is another important step in recognizing Armenia worldwide as a country that honors international technological legends,” Director of “Synopsys Armenia”, Head of Executive Board Hovik Musayelyan said.

Narayana Murthy is a key figure in India's IT revolution. With his vision, leadership, and relentless dedication, he has founded “Infosys” and turned it into a highly innovative global software services company. Today, “Infosys” is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Bombay (Mumbai) Stock Exchange, boasting a market capitalization of approximately $18 billion and $82.87 billion as of February 2024.

Emerging from a humble background, he has become a true leader, opening the doors of the global market to Indian talent․

In 2014, he was ranked 13^th among CNBC’s 25 global business leaders. Fortune magazine listed him among the ‘12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time’ in 2012. He received Padma Vibhushan from India in 2008, Officer of Legion d’honneur from France in 2008, and CBE from Britain in 2007. The Economist ranked him among the 10 most-admired global business leaders in 2005. The Financial Times’ list of “Business pioneers in technology” ranked him among the top 10 in March 2015.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Global High-Tech Award from Armenia, joining a distinguished group of previous laureates who have made significant contributions to the world of technology. This award highlights the vital role of innovation in driving progress, and I am excited about the opportunities of potential collaboration between Armenia and the global tech community to continue advancing these efforts.”, - said the laureate of the State Award of Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to Humanity through IT for 2023 Narayana Murthy.

On November 15^th, 2024, a souvenir sheet with two stamps and a Special Cover dedicated to the theme “State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in High-Tech sphere” have been put into circulation.

Each postage stamp of the souvenir sheet has the nominal value of 400 AMD. The postage stamps of the souvenir sheet depict the memorial souvenir given to the laureate and the commemorative gold medal. The souvenir sheet depicts the inscription “STATE AWARD OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA FOR GLOBAL CONTRIBUTION IN HIGH-TECH SPHERE” in Armenian and English languages.

The Special Cover depicts Narayana Murthy, the 14^th Laureate of the 2023 State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in High-Tech sphere, the Founder of “Infosys” Company.

A souvenir sheet with two postage stamps dedicated to the theme “State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in IT sphere” and issued in 2024 is attached on the Special Cover.

The winners of recent years of the State Award of Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to Humanity through IT are prominent figures like:

Former CEO of “Intel Corporation” Craig Barrett (2010)

Co-Founder of “Apple Inc.” Steve Wozniak (2011)

Chairman Emeritus of “Synaptics, Inc.” Federico Faggin (2012)

Chairman of the Society of Semiconductor Industry Seniors and “Techno Vision” Tsugio Makimoto (2013)

Chief Development Officer of “Sysco Systems” Mario Mazzola (2014)

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of “Kaspersky Lab” Eugene Kaspersky (2015)

Internet pioneer and CEO at “Open-Root” Louis Pouzin (2016)

Founder of “Nest labs”, the creator of iPod Tony Fadell (2017)

Co-founder of “National Instruments” Dr. James Truchard (2018)

Co-Chief Executive Officer of “Synopsys” Dr. Chi-Foon Chan (2020)

Vice President of “IBM”'s Electronic Design Automation group Leon Stok (2021)