Infosys to hire around 16k engineers next year: Murthy

India's second largest software services firm Infosys will hire up to 16,000 engineers next year, the company's chairman N R Naryana Murthy said on Wednesday.

"We have already started the hiring process for next year. We will be hiring around 15,000-16,000 engineers for next year and are already in process," Murthy said at an event in Mumbai.

With improving demand for outsourcing services in the US and European markets, which account for over 80 per cent of the revenues of the $108 billion Indian IT sector, hiring is expected to be better than the last few years.

Speaking on a range of issues, Murthy said that people in the country needs to take more definitive steps towards development.

"India is a country of empty words, not action. Only repeating, 'Mera Bharat Mahaan' won't help. Learn to finish the race first in order to finish first," Murthy reiterated.

He encouraged students to be open to new ideas and not be cynical. "Move from apathy to action. Aim at becoming better than me. Luck will favour those who are prepared."

Talking about the economic environment in the country, he said it is going to change going forward.

"As long as they (government) make businesses grow in the country, as long as we collect more taxes, as long as we use those taxes efficiently, I think the confidence will come back, every one will be very happy with whatever government is in the Centre and we will be better country," he said.

Murthy called upon educational authorities to concentrate on providing quality education. "Students are the future of this country. Quality software engineers will carve the way ahead for becoming a software global giant," he said.

On developing managerial skills, Murthy said it requires learning to understand other cultures, assimilating good values and being courteous.