Renowned benefactor and wordsmith Sudha Murty found herself appointed to the Rajya Sabha on the recent Friday, earning accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her multifaceted contributions.
Expressing his sentiments on X, previously identified as Twitter, Modi emphasized that her presence in the Upper House serves as a potent testament to “Nari Shakti” (women power), symbolizing the prowess and potential of women in shaping the nation’s trajectory.
Extending wishes for a fruitful tenure, he remarked, “I am pleased to note that Sudha Murty Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India. Sudha Ji’s impact across various domains such as social service, philanthropy, and education has been substantial and inspirational.”
Murty, the spouse of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, also holds the position of chairperson at the Murty Trust, and the Infosys Foundation, while boasting a collection of authored works.
The septuagenarian, whose nomination aligns with International Women’s Day, received the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.
Expressing her sentiments, Murty shared, “I’m elated, albeit I sense an augmented responsibility. I will exert my utmost efforts. On a personal note, I find joy in the fact that I now possess a broader platform to serve the underprivileged,” as reported by ANI. In response to queries regarding a potential foray into politics, Murty clarified her stance, asserting, “I do not perceive myself as a politician. I am a nominated Rajya Sabha member. My son-in-law’s (United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak) political endeavors are distinct, and my vocation is separate. I am now a government worker.”
Acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commendation on her Rajya Sabha nomination, Murty conveyed her appreciation, stating, “His acknowledgment of my efforts is truly gracious. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister.”
Sudha Murty, born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, Haveri, Karnataka, India, to Dr R. H. Kulkarni and Vimala Kulkarni, hails from a Deshastha Madhwa Brahmin family.
An ardent reader and an active participant in online communities, she conveyed her Women’s Day message on X, emphasizing, “Women make significant contributions to societal and economic functionality. A cessation of their endeavors would result in a considerable imbalance, impacting various facets of daily life.”
A graduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology (now KLE Technological University), Murty pursued post-graduation in Computer Science at the Indian Institute of Science, earning a gold medal from the then Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Her union with N.R. Narayana Murthy transpired during her tenure as an engineer at TELCO in Pune. The couple, blessed with two children, Akshata and Rohan, witnessed Akshata’s marriage to United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Murty, notable for writing a postcard addressing gender bias to the TELCO Chairman, subsequently secured a position as the first female engineer at India’s largest auto manufacturer, TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO).
Assigned initially as a Development Engineer in Pune, she later served in Mumbai and Jamshedpur. Additionally, she contributed to the Walchand group of Industries in Pune as a Senior Systems Analyst. In 1996, she founded the Infosys Foundation, currently holding the position of Chairperson.
Dually serving as a visiting Professor at Bangalore University and a former professor at Christ University, Murty received the prestigious ‘Attimabbe Award’ from the Government of Karnataka for her literary endeavors in 2011–12. Her inaugural notable work, ‘How I taught my Grandmother to Read,’ alongside numerous short stories, solidifies her literary legacy.