With Affection, Sudha
Sudha Murty was born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, North Karnataka. Brought up in a family that places immense value on education, she imbibed her love for books and learning very early in life. She grew up hearing stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana from her grandparents. This became her introduction to the world of stories.
When she was twelve, her grandfather asked her what she would do first if given a pair of wings? She replied promptly, “I will fly to the library in the neighbouring village and read all the books available there.”
Sudha Murty has always been a natural storyteller. At school she was the class monitor. When the teachers were absent, (which was often) she stepped into the role of a storyteller, keeping the class engaged. At the young age of 10 she discovered the power of stories that bind us all together. She attributes her passion for telling stories to those early years.
Sudha Murty was the only female (in her class) in the engineering college in Hubli-Dharwad in Karnataka. She pushed through resistance, bias, and outright discrimination and received a Gold Medal from the Institution of Engineers, India for securing the highest marks across all engineering universities in Karnataka and a silver medal from the Chief Minister of Karnataka. She went on to excel in her Masters from IISc with a distinction.
Sudha Murty is well known as the first female engineer at TELCO (now TATA Motors). She applied in response to a call for graduates from IISc. The flier specifically mentioned that female candidates need not apply. Overcome by the unfairness of the situation and determined to right this wrong, she wrote directly to JRD Tata, questioning the policy.
In her letter to him, she wrote,
“Sir, JRD Tata, when the country was not independent at that time your group started chemicals, locomotives, and the iron and steel industry. You are always ahead of time. In this society, there are 50–50% men and women. If women don’t get an education and job opportunities, then society or a country never rises, and this is one mistake of your company (for not allowing women students to apply for the job at TELCO, Pune).”
She was invited for an interview and was the first woman to be selected.
Her experience at TELCO has had a lasting impact on her life. One particular interaction with JRD Tata shaped her philanthropic outlook and initiatives. “No one owns money; you are just the trustee of it. Money keeps changing hands. If you succeed in life, try to return it to the society that has been kind to you.” These words of advice given by JRD Tata when she left TELCO have always motivated and inspired her to share with those in immediate need.
Sudha Murty founded the Infosys Foundation in 1996. As the chairperson of the foundation, she has established numerous schools, hospitals, and orphanages across India impacting the lives of thousands of individuals. Her foremost contribution to women’s empowerment has been her extensive work with the Devadasi community. She retired from the foundation in 2021.
She is also the co-founder of the Murty Trust, committed to reviving Indian art, culture and heritage, restoring nature, and encouraging science & research in India.
Sudha Murty is the recipient of several noteworthy awards for her social work. She has received, among other honours, two Padma Awards from the Government of India. The Padma Shri was awarded to her in 2006 for her social work through the Infosys Foundation. She was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2023 for her outstanding contribution to the field of social work and literature.
Sudha Murty is a curious learner, eager to learn from people, books, and experiences. A self-proclaimed indulgent reader, she is always making room for more books in her ever-expanding library. She is a history buff, especially Indian history, and spends a lot of her time reading up on it and interacting with experts.
She has always been a passionate go-getter, carving her path despite the obstacles along the way. She has a pragmatic outlook, questioning existing practices and norms. She believes in not just doing the right thing, but doing it right.
She approaches life with a certain lightness, embracing every moment as it comes. She has the ability to find both meaning and humour in everyday situations. She is a huge fan of movies; once watching 365 films in a year as a challenge. Lesser known is her love for Indian sweets with mandige holding the sweetest spot. She enjoys gardening and has personally planted hundreds of saplings in her home and offices in Bangalore.
Sudha Murty lives in Bangalore with her husband Narayana Murthy, and her dog Gopi.