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Sudha Murty – A Woman of Compassion and Resilience
Sudha Murty- Unstoppable Woman
Sudha Murthy- Architect of Change
– Dr. Nowhera Shaik
Across all periods of human history, women have consistently faced challenges and triumphed. Whether the tales of ancient civilizations or the modern world, women have consistently defied expectations, achieved greatness, and emerged victorious in their chosen fields. Countless women continue to rewrite the norms and redefine success on their own terms. Even during times when women were often sidelined and their potential overlooked, there have always been extraordinary women who shattered stereotypes, achieved remarkable success, and proved worth. These women overcame societal barriers and became symbols of empowerment and progress. One such exemplary figure is Sudha Murty, who emerged triumphant from an era when women were often deemed unsuccessful merely for stepping outside their homes. In times when female education received inadequate emphasis, she defied these societal norms.
Sudha Murthy – Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, is a prominent philanthropist, author, chairperson of the Murty Trust and chaired the Infosys Foundation for over two decades. Through her foundation, Sudha Murty has undertaken numerous philanthropic initiatives. She is also an inspirational speaker in both Kannada and English. Her books for children, in particular, have achieved widespread popularity and have been bestsellers. She has been honored with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023. 
Aged 73, Sudha has demonstrated her ability to excel despite gender biases. She dedicated a chapter in one of her 42 books to overcoming misogyny, debunking the notion that she faces less difficulty in advocating for women’s rights. Despite being a billionaire and associated with Infosys Ltd., and as the mother-in-law of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, she started her journey without wealth, fame, or influential connections.
In the 1970s, as a young woman, she famously challenged industrialist J.R.D. Tata on his company’s sexist hiring policies and succeeded. However, gender inequality continues to be a widespread issue in the corporate world. This is why Murty is urging the new generation of women to hold corporate leaders accountable. Her advice: don’t hesitate to challenge the status quo at work.
“Any social change requires time,” Murty mentioned in one of her interviews. “And patience is one of the best methods along with boldness.”
Murty received the Canada India Foundation’s global Indian award in recognition of her lifelong efforts against gender discrimination and her philanthropic work aiding orphans, sex workers, and natural disaster victims.
Sudha Murty began challenging social norms early in life. Born Sudha Kulkarni in 1951 in Shiggaon, Karnataka, she aspired to be an engineer by the age of 17, much to her relatives’ dismay. Her father, a doctor, hoped she would follow his career path, while her mother, a schoolteacher, encouraged her to study mathematics and become a college professor. Her grandmother, however, was concerned, saying that no man would marry an engineer girl in our community.
Despite the challenges, Sudha Murty became the first female engineering student at B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology in Hubli, Karnataka, in 1968. At the time, the campus lacked women’s restrooms, so she trained herself not to need them.
Male students attempted to drive her out with pranks, spilling blue ink on her seat and throwing paper airplanes at her. It was then that Murty realized she was in control of her destiny.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in engineering, Sudha Murty pursued a master’s in computer science at the Indian Institute of Science, graduating at the top of her class both times.
In 1974, at the age of 23, she encountered a job advertisement from Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co. (TELCO) that explicitly stated “Lady candidates need not apply.” This blatant discrimination infuriated her.
In 1981, Sudha Murty made her first significant investment by lending her husband, N.R. Narayana Murthy, 10,000 rupees, most of her savings, to start Infosys from their Bombay apartment. Today, Infosys is a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of $73.5 billion. Murty humorously considers herself perhaps the best investor in India.
Notably, Murty spells her surname differently from her husband due to her disagreement with the South Indian spelling of “Murthy.” She insisted on using “Murty” after their marriage, and their children, Akshata and Rohan, also adopted this spelling.
While she chose not to work at Infosys, instead teaching computer science, Murty founded the Infosys Foundation in 1996 to assist the poor. Through her charitable work, she has been instrumental in building at least 16,000 women’s toilets across India and is particularly proud of her efforts to help survivors of sex trafficking, having assisted over 3,000 women and girls escape sexual slavery over 18 years.
A pivotal moment in Sudha Murty’s life occurred when 3,000 rehabilitated sex workers organized a thanksgiving ceremony in her honor, and recognized her 18 years of dedicated efforts to help them lead normal lives. She recalled being on stage, speechless and moved to tears, as the women, now living normal lives, wanted to hear from her.
Despite facing backlash, including being pelted with rotten tomatoes, Murty’s father provided her with perspective, suggesting that the escalation from slippers to tomatoes signified a form of promotion.
Murty remains committed to challenging the male-dominated business world and encourages young women to advocate for themselves in the workplace. She advises that if a job is suitable and one is qualified, one must actively seek it out rather than waiting for an offer.
She also emphasizes the importance of having supportive partners who share household responsibilities and accept help from family and friends. Maintaining open communication with children to understand their challenges is crucial as well.
Murty takes pride in the fact that women now constitute the majority of instrumentation engineering students at her alma mater, and encourages them to support their male peers, who are now in the minority.
However, She was nominated by the President of India as a Rajya Sabha MP this year. Women like Murty are vital to India. With her vast experience and dedication to social causes, her presence in the Rajya Sabha as an MP can lead to significant positive changes. Such women bring compassion, insight, and a deep understanding of societal issues to the government and help to shape policies that benefit the most vulnerable.
It is imperative that women with such a track record are positioned in the government. Their perspectives can lead to more inclusive and effective governance, ensuring that issues like gender equality, education, and healthcare are given the attention they deserve. Their leadership can inspire others and pave the way for more women to take up roles in public service.
Moreover, women like Murty can serve as role models for the younger generation which demonstrates that dedication and hard work can lead to impactful change. Their stories of overcoming challenges and making a difference can motivate young women to pursue their dreams and contribute to society. These women can advocate for policies that support women’s rights, education, and social welfare. They can bring attention to issues that might otherwise be overlooked and ensure that the voices of the marginalized are heard. Their leadership can also promote gender-sensitive approaches in all areas of policy-making, leading to more balanced and fair decisions. So, having more women in government can help normalize female leadership, break down stereotypes, and encourage a more diverse and inclusive political landscape.
