Jewel of Asia needs your polishing — Mori tells Murthy

In his speech at the headquarters of the NASDAQ-listed software major at Electronics City, Mori said, "I think India and Japan should try and develop a complementary relationship and work together as partners so that we can together contribute to the world." Narayana Murthy, chairman of Infosys, responded by describing Japan as the `Jewel of Asia’. Mori then remarked that, "In Japan, there is a saying that if the jewel is not polished, it will not shine. It is necessary for the jewel to be polished." He said Indian expertise would help Japan make strides in the technology sector.

He called for cooperation between India and Japan in IT. Mori said the whole world is now focussing its attention on India in view of its abundant pool 6of competent engineers and experts.

The visiting leader also singled out Infosys for praise. "I have been told that Infosys had anticipated trends of future and has been leaders in the whole of India (in IT)…but also the world in the new century," he said.

Mori entertained the employees of Infosys with a brief speech heard with rapt attention and followed by applause.

"When I came here, I was taken aback by the crowd. I thought there is a cricket or soccer match," he said referring to the presence of a huge number of people, who came to listen to him.

"There was general elections in Japan recently. If the crowd was as big as this, it would have been a landslide victory," Mori remarked, evoking peels of laughter. "I am moved by the huge crowd."

Murthy described Mori’s visit to the company as a "red-letter day in Infosys" and said Japan is an extremely important trade partner for India.

Mori also witnessed a video-conferencing session arranged for a Japanese client of Infosys. He also planted a sapling in the company’s premises and posed for photographs by playing a golf shot.