Sudha Murty Family Tree
Sudha Murty - A Lifestory
Sudha Murty is an Indian author, philanthropist, and software engineer. She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and the wife of N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. Born on August 19, 1950, in a small village in Karnataka, India, Murty's journey from a rural upbringing to becoming a prominent figure in the Indian business world is an inspiring tale. As the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she leads initiatives in education, healthcare, rural development, and the arts, impacting millions across India. Through her poignant writings spanning novels, short stories, and children's books, she captivates readers with moral lessons. Sudha Murty's unwavering commitment to social causes and her versatile role as a philanthropist, author, and educator make her an inspirational figure many admire. Murty is also a celebrated author, known for her heartwarming and insightful stories that often draw inspiration from her own life experiences.
Birth
Sudha Murty was born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, Karnataka, to R. H. Kulkarni, a surgeon, and his wife Vimala Kulkarni, a schoolteacher.
Family Information
- Parents:
R.H. Kulkarni (Father)
Vimala Kulkarni (Mother) - Siblings:
Jayant Kulkarni
Jaishree Deshpande
Shrinivas Kulkarni - Spouse:
N.R. Narayana Murthy - Children:
Akshata Murty
Rohan Murty - Relatives:
Rishi Sunak (Son-in-law)
Lakshmi Venu (Daughter-in-law)
Education
- She completed her early education in Karnataka
- Graduated with a BE in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BVB College of Engineering, Hubli, Karnataka.
- She completed her Master of Engineering in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Marriage
Sudha Murty and Narayana Murthy got married in an intimate ceremony at Murthy's residence in Bengaluru on February 10, 1978, attended only by their families. Sudha Murthy is an Indian author, philanthropist, and engineer.
It was during her time at TELCO that she met N.R. Narayana Murthy, an ambitious engineer who would go on to found Infosys, one of India’s largest IT companies.
They have two children Akshata (1980) married British-Indian politician Rishi Sunak, who served as the UK Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024. and Rohan(1983) worked as an executive assistant to his father at Infosys from June 2013 to June 2014.
A Journey of Impact: From Engineer to Philanthropist
- In 1974 she joined TELCO as the first female engineer and commenced her career as a development engineer in Pune, later extending her work to Mumbai and Jamshedpur.
- In 1978 she transitioned to the Walchand Group of Industries in Pune, assuming the role of a senior systems analyst.
- In 1981 became a full-time homemaker after the birth of her first child.
- In 1993 she founded the Infosys Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on social development.
- In 1996 she published her first novel, The Dollar Bahu, which became a bestseller.
- In 2000 became a member of the Infosys board of directors.
- In 2006 she established the Sudha Murty Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and children.
- Continued to write and publish books, and to work on her philanthropic endeavours.
Anecdotes
- Letter to J.R.D. Tata - When Sudha Murty saw a job advertisement from TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company) that stated "female candidates need not apply," she wrote a letter to J.R.D. Tata expressed her disappointment. This led to her becoming the first female engineer hired by TELCO.
- Simple Wedding with Narayana Murthy- Sudha Murty and N.R. Narayana Murthy had a simple wedding, forgoing the traditional grandeur. They got married in a small temple, spending only ₹800 on the entire event, emphasizing their belief in simplicity.
- Contribution to Infosys' Foundation- Sudha Murty gave ₹10,000 of her savings to help her husband, Narayana Murthy, start Infosys in 1981. Despite this early contribution, she chose to focus on social work rather than the corporate world.
- "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read"- In her childhood, Sudha’s grandmother was illiterate, which deeply affected her. As a young girl, she took it upon herself to teach her grandmother to read and write, an experience she later wrote about in her famous book, "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read."
- Turning Down Luxury- Despite being one of India’s wealthiest women, Sudha Murty lives a modest life. Once, when she saw a salesperson treating her differently because of her simple attire, she emphasized that wealth does not come from wearing fancy clothes but from the values and knowledge one possesses.
Notable Achievements
- Gold Medal: Highest marks in BE among Karnataka's engineering universities, 1970
- C. S. Desai Prize: First Place in University Exams in Karnataka 1970
- Youth Service Department Prize: Outstanding Engineering Student in Karnataka 1974
- Gold Medal: Top rank in ME across all branches of engineering in 1974
- Best Teacher Award 1995
- National Award: Outstanding Social Service from PRSI 1995
- Millennium Mahila Shiromani Award 2000
- Rajyotsava State Award 2000
- Ojaswini Award 2000
- Award for Excellent Social Service: Rotary South-Hubli Karnataka 2001
Decade of Distinction
- Raja-Lakshmi Award 2004
- Padma Shri 2006
- R.K. Narayan Award 2006
- Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award 2010
- Honorary LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) degrees 2011
- Basava Shree Award 2013
- Crossword Book Award 2018
- Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) of Doctor of Science 2019
- Padma Bhushan, 2023
- Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023
- The Global Indian Award 2023
Contribution to society
- Philanthropic Activities: She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by her husband, N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. The foundation supports various initiatives in education, healthcare, rural development, and the arts.
- Education: The Infosys Foundation has funded numerous educational projects, including the establishment of libraries, schools, and scholarships for underprivileged students. She has also personally donated to several educational institutions.
- Healthcare: The foundation has funded hospitals, clinics, and medical research projects. She has also been involved in initiatives to improve healthcare access in rural areas.
- Rural Development: The Infosys Foundation supports various rural development projects, including initiatives to improve sanitation, water access, and agricultural practices.
- Other Initiatives: She has also supported various other causes, including women's empowerment, environmental protection, and disaster relief.
Literary Contributions
Sudha Murty is also a prolific writer, with over 30 books to her name, spanning fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, and travelogues. She writes in English and Kannada, and her works often reflect her deep empathy for ordinary people and their struggles.
Her best-known books include:
- "Wise and Otherwise" – A collection of short stories based on her real-life experiences.
- "Dollar Bahu" – A novel that explores family dynamics and the effects of migration to the U.S.
- "The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk" – Another set of short stories inspired by her travels and interactions with diverse people.
"How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" – A popular children’s book that illustrates the importance of education.
Her works often explore themes of social justice, women's empowerment, and Indian culture.
Praise and Reflections from Colleagues
- "Sudha Murty is an inspiration to us all. Her dedication to education and social causes is truly remarkable. She is a role model for women in business and beyond."- Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons
- "Sudha Murty is a force of nature. Her passion for literacy and her unwavering commitment to empowering women are truly inspiring. She is a true leader and a shining example of what it means to be a successful businesswoman and a compassionate human being."- N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys
- "Sudha Murty is a visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the lives of countless people. Her work in education and social development is truly commendable. She is a true inspiration to us all." - Kiran MazumdarShaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon
- "Sudha Murty is a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the world. Her work in education and social causes is truly inspiring. She is a role model for all of us." - Chanda Kochhar, Former CEO, ICICI Bank
- "Sudha Murty is a true philanthropist and a champion of education. Her work in empowering women and promoting literacy is truly commendable. She is a shining example of what it means to be a successful businesswoman and a compassionate human being." - Azim Premji, Founder, Wipro
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