Sudha And Narayana Murthy’s Love Story Proves Honesty & Trust Is Above Everything

Love stories are not always about romance; sometimes it is about becoming the best version of yourself. Narayana and Sudha Murthy’s story will make you rethink what love is all about. The latter was a bold and ambitious computer scientist who had big dreams whereas Narayana was introverted and shy. Prasanna (now the global head at Wipro), was their mutual friend who introduced them in Pune. What do you think would have happened when these two fell in love? Read on to find out.

Date night

Making the first move, Narayana invited Sudha and her other friends for dinner. As she was the only girl in the group, she refused but he convinced her to meet at 7:30 PM at Green Fields hotel on the Main Road, Pune.

This is how the proposal happened

They became friends and shared their knowledge of books and other things. Their conversations were never romantic. One day, Murthy took her out at dinner and popped up the question. He said,

“I am 5’4″ tall. I come from a lower middleclass family. I can never become rich. You are beautiful, bright, intelligent and you can get anyone you want. But will you marry me?”

Sudha didn’t answer in a hurry and took some time. She discussed with her parents and naturally, there were problems.

When Sudha’s parents met Murthy

Murthy’s first meeting with Sudha’s parents didn’t turn out to be good. He was supposed to meet them at 10 AM but was late due to traffic jam. Thus, her father said that how could he trust that person. He showed up two hours late in a bright red shirt!.

When her father asked him what he wants to do in his life. Murthy stated that he wants to open an orphanage and become a politician in the communist party. Sudha’s father didn’t want her to marry a person who hardly has money to support his own family. So, it was a big NO from his side. But Sudha’s mother was positive since Murthy intelligent, came from a good family and was was also from Karnataka. However, by that time, Sudha realized that she was in love with Murthy and wants to marry him because he is an honest man.

Sudha was confused as her father wanted Murthy to get a stable job and the latter never did anything under pressure.

Three years of courtship

They went to movies, dinners and their love became grew for each other. Sudha keeps joking that one of the richest men in the country, used to be broke at that time.
She said,

“He always owed me money. We used to go for dinner and he would say, I don t have money with me, you pay my share, will return it to you later. For three years, I maintained a book of Murthy’s debts to me. No, he never returned the money and I finally tore it up after our wedding. The amount was a little over Rs 4,000.”

In the late 1970s, Murthy left his job as a research assistant to start his own software company.

When Narayana Murthy and Sudha Kulkarni got married

At the end of 1977, Murthy became the General Manager at Patni computers in Bombay and wanted to take wedding vows with Sudha before going on a training project to the US.

As he was earning good, Sudha’s father gave his consent for the marriage.

The couple took wedding vows in on February 10, 1978, in Murthy’s house in Bangalore. The whole wedding priced Rs 800 and both contributed equally to it. Only their families attended the ceremony.

Start of Infosys and sacrifice behind it

In 1981, Murthy realized his dreams and that was the starting of Infosys. He had a dream but not money. Sudha supported him and asked him to follow his dreams and she will take care of financial needs. She said,

“We were living a comfortable life in Bombay with a regular paycheck and I didn’t want to rock the boat. But Murthy was passionate about creating good quality software. I decided to support him. Typical of Murthy, he just had a dream and no money. So I gave him Rs 10,000 which I had saved for a rainy day, without his knowledge and told him, this is all I have. Take it. I give you three years sabbatical leave. I will take care of the financial needs of our house. You go and chase your dreams without any worry.”

Sudha helped him in every possible way. She quit Telco where she worked and moved to Pune. Later, in 1983, first Murthy and then his wife moved to Bangalore.

Both of them worked hard to set up Infosys. However, the lady realized that they had to give time to the family as well. One of them has to be with family. Thus, Sudha gave up her career and became a homemaker.

Even today, Murthy says, Sudha,

“I stepped on your career to make mine. You are responsible for my success.”

Their love story is indeed beautiful and inspirational

They supported each other and made us realize the meaning of true love.

According to excerpts from Sudha Murthy’s book,

“Murthy and I are two opposites that complement each other. Murthy is sensitive and romantic in his own way. He always gifts me books addressed ‘From Me to You. Or ‘To the person, I most admire, etc. We both love books. I am an extrovert and he is an introvert. I love watching movies and listening to classical music. Murthy loves listening to English classical music. I go out for movies with my students and secretary every other week.”

Also read: This Is How Sudha Murthy Responded When Called “Cattle Class” At London Airport