Jobaaj Stories
Women have always been a source of inspiration for social change, whether it was Mother Teresa, Sarojini Naidu, or Kalpana Chawla. Sudha Murty, who has had a significant influence on Indian society, is one such name. She is an Indian author, philanthropist, and advocate for women's rights, has left an unforgettable mark on society through her inspiring life journey.
Early Life and Education
Sudha Murty was born on 19th August 1951 in Shiggaon, Haveri, Karnataka, India, and hails from a Kannada-speaking Deshastha Madhva Brahmin family. Her parents, R. H. Kulkarni a surgeon, and Vimala Kulkarni, a school teacher. Her maternal grandparents played a significant role in her upbringing. Sudha Murty's educational journey played a crucial part in shaping her into a successful author.
She completed her Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from B.V.B College of Engineering, Hubli, where her excellent academic performance earned her a gold medal. Inspired to pursue higher studies, Sudha Murty went on to obtain her Master's in Computer Science in 1974 from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Her outstanding performance in the final exams led her to receive a gold medal from the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Empowering Women’s Rights
Sudha Murty has always been a strong advocate for women's rights and a pioneer in the field of education. She challenged the men-only policy of Tata Motors by writing a postcard to them. Getting impressed by her courage, she was called for an interview and, as a result, became the first female engineer to be employed in India. She worked as a Development Engineer in Pune and was later posted in Mumbai and Jamshedpur. Additionally, she also worked as a Senior Systems Analyst with the Walchand group of Industries in Pune.
In 1996, Sudha Murty established the Infosys Foundation, where she currently serves as the Chairperson. She is also a visiting professor at Bangalore University and earlier held a teaching position at Christ University.
Sudha Murthy’s Books
Sudha Murty's literary contributions span across various genres, including novels, non-fiction, travelogues, technical books, and memoirs. Her books have been translated into several Indian languages.
Some of Sudha Murty's notable works include "The Mother I Never Knew," "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories," "Three Thousand Stitches," "The Man from the Egg," "Dollar Bahu," and "Wise and Otherwise." "Dollar Bahu," originally written in Kannada, was later translated into English and adapted into a television series. Another compelling non-fiction book by Sudha Murty is "Wise and Otherwise," which offers captivating descriptions of the diverse shades of human nature.
Sudha Murthy As a Social Activist
As a philanthropist, Sudha Murty has made significant contributions to society. She has been instrumental in establishing 7,000 libraries, new schools, and over 16,000 washrooms in India. She actively supports initiatives to provide computer and library facilities to government schools in Karnataka. Sudha Murty founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University, and her son Rohan Murty is the founder.
Achievements
Throughout her remarkable journey, Sudha Murty has received numerous awards. Notably, she was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India. She also received the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award from the Karnataka Government in 2010 for her excellence in Kannada literature, a prestigious literary award dedicated to women writers in Karnataka. Sudha Murty is also a recipient of the R.K. Narayan's Award of Literature, and she was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate of Science from IIT Kanpur.
Sudha Murty's journey from a small town in Karnataka to becoming a successful author, engineer, and philanthropist serves as an inspiration to all. Her unwavering commitment to empowering others, particularly women, and her tireless efforts in improving education and social welfare continue to leave an imprint. Sudha Murty's story reminds us of the power of knowledge, compassion, and the belief that individuals have the ability to create meaningful change.
Also, Read School of Prime Minister Modi to host students and make them the catalysts of change
