In a ceremonial setting held within the Parliament, Sudha Murty, renowned philanthropist and author, formally assumed her position as a Rajya Sabha member, following her nomination by President Droupadi Murmu. Accompanying her were notable figures such as Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
Present alongside Sudha Murty was her spouse and co-founder of Infosys, N. R. Narayana Murthy. Following her nomination, Prime Minister Modi took to a certain platform to extend his felicitations, highlighting Murty’s substantial contributions across various domains including social welfare, philanthropy, and education. Expressing his delight, he emphasized the significance of Murty’s presence in the Rajya Sabha as a testament to the empowerment of women, encapsulating the strength and potential they possess in shaping the nation’s trajectory.
In an interaction with ANI subsequent to her nomination, Sudha Murty conveyed her satisfaction while acknowledging the increased responsibility bestowed upon her. Professing her commitment to giving her utmost effort, she articulated her joy in having a broader platform to advocate for the underprivileged. When questioned about the political implications of her nomination, Murty was unequivocal in stating that she does not identify as a politician.
“I do not perceive myself as a politician; I am merely a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. The political endeavors of my son-in-law, Rishi Sunak, pertain to his nation and are distinct from my own work. I am now an official of the government,” she affirmed. Esteemed for her literary contributions in both English and Kannada, Murty retired as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation on December 31, 2021. Her commendable efforts were recognized with the Padma Bhushan in 2023 for her significant strides in social welfare, and she was honored with the Padma Shri in 2006.