Startup founder recalls billionaire Narayana Murthy flying economy, carrying his own bag on flight: ‘Most humble person…’

Murthy was travelling back to Bengaluru after visiting Madhya Pradesh, where he had inaugurated Express City

A fintech entrepreneur has recounted a quiet but memorable encounter with Infosys founder Narayana Murthy at Indore airport, offering a glimpse into how the billionaire travels with striking simplicity.

Aditya Joshi, co-founder of fintech startup Pice, said he happened to be on the same commercial flight to Bengaluru as Murthy and spent about 10 minutes around him, both at the airport and onboard. In a LinkedIn post, Joshi described the 79-year-old tech icon as soft-spoken, modest, and easy to approach.

What stood out most, Joshi noted, was the complete absence of special privileges. Murthy had no entourage, did not skip queues, and blended in like any other passenger. “At 79, he put his bag himself in the overhead bin, sat in the second row, politely asked a fellow passenger to make a little space, and exchanged warm greetings with everyone around him,” Joshi wrote.

Murthy was travelling back to Bengaluru after visiting Madhya Pradesh, where he had inaugurated Express City in Ratlam for Kataria Jewellers. Reflecting on Murthy’s frequently discussed views on work culture, Joshi added, “When he says 70 hours work a week he has walked the talk.”

Joshi concluded his post by pointing to the contrast between Murthy’s immense wealth and his understated presence. “With a net worth of nearly $5 billion, he was the most humble person on the flight. What Infosys and Mr Murthy have done for India and for generations of Indians is nothing short of revolutionary. True greatness doesn’t demand attention. It just exists.”

The post quickly drew attention on LinkedIn, with many users echoing Joshi’s admiration.

An individual wrote, “Narayana Murthy is a humble, grounded billionaire who inspires by example. A man of immense wealth who wears simplicity with quiet confidence, he reflects a value system deeply rooted in South India. In Kerala, there is a deep-rooted belief that wealth should never be flaunted, whether in appearance or in conduct. Kerala’s royalty mirrors this ethos as well — custodians of immense wealth, yet guided by the belief that they are merely caretakers and guardians, not owners. You were blessed to have experienced this kind of humility at an airport.”

Another user commented, “Narayan uncle and Sudha aunty are epitome of humanity and humility! Have met them so many times back at Bishop Cottons where Rohan was a batchmate! Beautiful people! To people who crib about them- build something like Infosys first and u will know what it takes to get there! This is true wealth!”

A third person wrote, “Spending even 10 minutes observing someone in an ordinary setting like that can leave a lasting impression. The way you described those moments felt very grounded.”