Today I'm going to share a very inspiring story of a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark in the realms of philanthropy and literature in India. The person in question is none other than Sudha Murthy.
Sudha Murthy was born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, Karnataka, to her esteemed parents, R. H. Kulkarni, a renowned doctor, and Vimala Kulkarni, a school teacher. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication have left an enduring legacy on Indian society through both her actions and her written words. Her journey, which began in a modest village, has taken her to the pinnacle of success as an esteemed author and philanthropist, embodying courage, determination, and compassion.
From an early age, Sudha displayed exceptional academic prowess. She defied gender stereotypes by venturing into the predominantly male domain of engineering and subsequently earned a degree in Electrical Engineering, followed by a Master's degree in Computer Science.
Her professional journey took a historic turn when she became the first female engineer to be employed at India's largest automobile manufacturer, Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), now known as Tata Motors, in Pune. It was here that she crossed paths with N. R. Narayana Murthy and married him. Narayan Murthy later co-founded Infosys, one of India's leading IT companies.
Sudha Murthy and N. R. Narayana Murthy have two children, including their daughter, Akshata Murty, a prominent fashion designer, who is married to Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister.
Her career continued to flourish as she joined the Walchand Group of Industries as a Senior Systems Analyst. In addition to her engineering accomplishments, Sudha Murthy even made her mark in the world of cinema, appearing in a Kannada film titled "Prarthana."
Once she donated a gold bangle to a temple, which was melted down to provide basic amenities like footwear for school children. This incident solidified her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.
In 1996, she initiated the Infosys Foundation to channel her philanthropic endeavors. Her contributions include establishing orphanages, promoting rural development initiatives, supporting the introduction of computer and library facilities in Karnataka government schools, aiding in disaster relief operations, such as the reconstruction of homes in flood-affected regions, and founding the Murthy Classical Library of India at Harvard University.
Sudha Murthy's contributions to society have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades and honors, including the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.
Beyond her philanthropic efforts, Sudha Murthy's journey as a writer began with an incident where she purchased a book at a train station but found it to be poorly written. This disappointment inspired her to start writing her own stories, and she went on to become a celebrated author.
Sudha Murthy is a prolific writer of novels, non-fiction, travelogues, technical literature, and memoirs in both English and Kannada. Some of her notable works include "Wise and Otherwise," "Mahashweta," "Runa" (Debt), "Dollar Bahu" (Dollar Daughter-in-Law), "The Mother I Never Knew," and "Three Thousand Stitches," among others.
What's truly remarkable about Sudha Murthy is her simplicity and humility. Despite being one of India's wealthiest women, with an estimated net worth of around Rs 775 crore and an annual income of Rs 300 crore, she chooses to live a modest life. For over 20 years, she hasn't purchased a single saree.
Her transformation from a shopaholic to a minimalist occurred during a trip to Varanasi, where she pledged to only buy essentials like food, water, and medicines. Murthy attributes her journey toward minimalism and decluttering to the valuable lessons passed down by her mother and grandmother. When her mother and grandmother passed away, she had only a handful of sarees left from their legacy.
In a display of her grounded nature, she actively participates in common social and religious events, such as the Pongal programme. She has also instilled the values of simplicity and minimalism in her children, evident in her daughter and son-in-law's daily practice of starting their day with a morning prayer.
Sudha Murthy stands as a beacon of inspiration for all individuals, particularly women, who aspire to shatter boundaries and create a positive impact on society. Her journey from an engineer to a celebrated author and philanthropist reflects her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
--Kaushal Kishore
images: pinterest
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