In an age where success is measured by opulence and power, Sudha Murty herself is a star, imprinted in the hearts of all due to her humility, compassion, and dedication toward social causes. An accomplished author, philanthropist, and social worker, Sudha Murty has left her mark on many hearts through her work. From a small-town girl in Karnataka to chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, her journey is one of grit, determination, and an undying commitment towards the greater cause. This blog looks into the inspiring life of Sudha Murty, covering early life, education, career, personal life, social work, writings, awards, and some of her most memorable quotes.
Sudha Murty – Early Life
Born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, a small town in Haveri district, of Karnataka state in India, Sudha Murty is a woman of simple living in a family of great educationists. Her father, Dr. R.H. Kulkarni, was a renowned medical practitioner, and her mother, Vimala Kulkarni, a reputed schoolteacher, which made Sudha probably feel motivated in taking active interest in learning.
Nurtured in the culture of a middle-class family, Sudha imbibed the values of hard work, discipline, and education. Her parents instilled in her the sense of responsibility toward society, which became the creed of her life’s work. Born and brought up in a small town, amidst rigorous struggles, Sudha’s insatiable thirst for knowledge and her inner urge to do something meaningful in life set her apart from others.
Sudha Murty – Education
The educational journey of Sudha Murty has proved her brilliance and perseverance. In 1972, she did her Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli. When the world of engineering was predominantly male-oriented, she fought many odds to glory with brilliant academic results. She was the only girl in her college, and further broke stereotypes when she secured the first rank in her class, thus setting a trend for generations of women engineers.
After her graduation in engineering, Sudha Murty won a scholarship to do her Master’s in Computer Science at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Yet again, Sudha Murty stood first in her class at IISc, which was hardly a surprise for those who knew her. Not only did her education provide Sudha with technical knowledge, but it also served as the foundation of her future career in technology.
Sudha Murty – Career
The career of Sudha Murty started in the early 1970s when she entered TELCO as the first-ever female engineer. Needless to say, her entry into the male-dominated corporate world wasn’t easy. Sudha had to fight hard against gender biases and stereo-typing, but soon, her talent and tenacity won over fellow and seniors alike. It is this work culture and dedication that opened the way for all coming women engineers at TELCO.
It was the most significant turning point in Sudha Murty’s life when she stood beside her husband, Narayana Murthy, and cofounded Infosys in the year 1981—what has become one of the most successful IT companies in India. Although her role in Infosys was a bit in the back end, she was one of the key figures in the growth. During the formative years, she also provided much-needed financial support and business acumen to the company. Hence, even while Narayana Murthy was the face shown to the Infosys world, Sudha continued to follow her interests in the sphere of social work and philanthropy.
Sudha Murty – Personal Life
Sudha Murty’s personal life has truly been the reflection of her values and beliefs. She married Narayana Murthy on February 10, 1978, and the couple has two children, Rohan and Akshata. Their family lived a very simple and humble life even when they achieved great heights. She has often talked about how one can balance between work and family life due to the support and understanding of her family, as she credits them for giving her the wings to fly.
An ideal personality in her personal life, she is down-to-earth and very ethical. She always believed in one’s deeds and led by example, through her modest style of living and commitment to social causes. Sudha’s relationship with her husband and children is based on mutual respect and shared values, which has given her strength throughout life.
Sudha Murty – Social Work
The other important facet of Sudha Murty’s life is her social work. She has been in the vanguard for undertaking various activities to better the lot of the impoverished as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She has led the foundation in building projects relating to education, healthcare, rural development, arts, and culture.
The Philanthropy for Sudha Murty is not a whim; it’s highly hands-on and emotional. She feels the ground, interacts with the people she works for, and ensures judicious use of resources. Millions of lives across the length and breadth of India have been touched with her work in Infosys Foundation. Some of its noteworthy projects include building schools and libraries in rural parts, health facilities in remote places, and working for traditional artisans and craftsmen.
She has also been involved in a load of other activities outside the Infosys Foundation. She has been involved with the Gates Foundation and the Ratan Tata Trust in addressing various social issues, among many others. Her social working enthusiasm was not limited to only supplying funds to the projects but actively getting involved in their execution to ensure that they meet the goal.
Sudha Murty – Writings and Books
Other than philanthropy, Sudha Murty is a prolific writer. Her writing is evident in her numerous novels, short stories, children’s literature, and non-fiction. Her style is simple, warm, and tinged with a keen observation of human nature. Most of Sudha’s books come from her own experiences and observations, which make them very relatable to readers of all age groups.
Some of her very notable works are “Wise and Otherwise,” “The Old Man and His God,” “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories,” and “Mahashweta.” Since her books have been translated into several languages and, therefore, have reached a bigger audience throughout the world. Through her writing, Sudha has been able to do much more than just entertain the readers; she has shared much of her life lessons on issues revolving around kindness, compassion, and perseverance.
Besides her contributions to literature, Sudha Murty has been awarded many other accolades for her work. Most of her stories have a central core of either social justice, morality, or human relationships and continue to remain an inspiration and evoke positive reaction among readers worldwide.
Sudha Murty – Awards and Achievements
Sudha Murty has been well recognized for her contributions to society and has received several awards and honors. The most prominent ones are the Padma Shri, India’s highest civilian award, presented to her in 2006 for social service. She’s also the recipient of the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature, the Attimabbe Award from the Government of Karnataka, the Lifetime Achievement Award by Crossword Book Awards for excellence in Kannada literature, and so many more.
Among her most famous works is work in education, which has earned her recognition from various educational institutions. Sudha has also been awarded honorary doctorates from quite a few universities in India for her contribution towards literature and social work. These laurels speak not only of her personal achievement but the change she has managed to bring into many lives through her work.
Conclusion
It’s a story of excellence, compassion, and service to humanity that spans the lifetime of Sudha Murty. Being a village girl brought up in a hamlet of Karnataka and growing up to become one of India’s most respected personalities, Sudha had just the same priorities. Her journey is an inspiring story to millions and serves as an example that true success lies not in personal achievements but in making a difference in the lives of people.
It is in the field of education, social service, and literature that Sudha Murty has really left her indelible impression and touched society. The simplicity, dedication, and commitment to the cause of the greater good have served to light the way for all people, young and old. It clearly indicates from Sudha Murty’s life and achievements that her name will get etched as a shining example for all generations to come.
Sudha Murty – Quotes
Sudha Murty’s wisdom and insights have been captured in many memorable quotes. Some of her most inspiring quotes include:
- “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
- “It is very easy to defeat someone, but it is very hard to win someone.”
- “Money is one thing which rarely unites and mostly divides people.”
- “You are not judged by the number of times you fail, but by the number of times you succeed.”
- “Do not try to be someone else, be yourself. Think differently, and if you believe in something, put every ounce of energy into it.”
These quotes reflect her philosophy of life and her belief in the power of positive action.
