Bangalore, Aug. 19 (PTI): N.R. Narayana Murthy today stepped down as the chairman of Infosys, bringing the curtains down on his 30-years of illustrious innings at the helm, even as he sought to inspire the new leadership team and the employees to take the company to greater heights.

At a farewell ceremony at the Nasdaq-listed company’s headquarters here this evening, Murthy outlined his vision for the $6-billion IT firm.

Infosys should now aspire to become a $60-billion firm and “who knows, hopefully, a $600-billion company”, the iconic business leader said.

“When I thought of (starting) Infosys on December 29, 1980, I frankly did not think I will bid goodbye to an Infosys of this size and this proportion,” he added.

Murthy co-founded the company with six professionals 30 years ago and now it has a workforce of more than 1.3 lakh.

He said the company had grown well in the last 30 years in terms of revenues, profits, employee strength, number of investors and market capitalisation.

“However, what is most gratifying to all of us is the respect that this company and its leaders have received over the last several years,” said Murthy, who was given a standing ovation at the function. He said Infosys must exist for hundreds of years to add value to society and expand its operations to every country on the planet.