Sudha Murty Was The Only Girl In Her Engineering College, Shares How She Gave It Back To The Boys

You might recognize her as the head of the Infosys Foundation or as a benefactor who supports a variety of organizations. Or maybe you’re familiar with Sudha Murty because of her wonderful personality and kickass outlook on the world!

Sudha Murty started off in the computer science field and technology which is mainly based on the lines of engineering. She is the chairwoman of the Infosys Foundation and a participant of the Gates Foundation’s public health services.

Her intriguing tidbits include the fact that she made her debut appearance in the Marathi film Pitruroon, which is inspired by her Kannada novel “Rhun”. Sudha enjoys watching movies.

Another fun fact about her very wide reach towards humanity is by doing a lot for the benefit of the public, through the organization. She has built 2300 dwellings in flood-affected communities.

She also writes about public health, medicine, schooling, cultural and artistic, and alleviating poverty. She has installed 16,000 lavatories and 7000 libraries in institutions.

Three Thousand Stitches: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives, chronicles Sudha Murty’s journey through various human emotions and experiences

The book serves as a magnificent ode to the spirit of human existence that has both educated and motivated her throughout many ways.

It’s a frank account of her thoughts and experiences, and it’s full of teachings for anyone who reads it.

Being the only girl in an engineering college

By taking, for example, a section in which Sudha Murty discusses being the sole woman in an engineering college in the late 1960s, a field that was deemed appropriate only for males.

I had always been fascinated with science, even more so with its application. Engineering was one of those branches of science that would allow me to utilize my creativity, especially in design. But it was as if I had dropped a bomb inside our house. The immediate reaction was of shock. Engineering was clearly an all-male domain and hence considered a taboo for girls in those days.

Referring to that excerpt, Everyone, along with the university principal, was wary about her enrolling in the program, she says. He (the principal) told my father,

“Doctor Sahib, I know that your daughter is very intelligent and that she has been given admission only because of merit, but I’m afraid we have some problems. She will be the only girl in college. It is going to be difficult for her. First, we don’t have a ladies’ toilet on campus. We don’t have a ladies’ room for her to relax either. Second, our boys are young with raging hormones and I am sure that they will trouble her.”

Hardships and inappropriate behavior she endured at her university from the lads

I knew that some of them wanted to whistle but I kept a straight face and looked around for a place to sit. The first bench was empty. As I was about to sit there, I saw that someone had spilt blue ink right in the middle of the seat. This was obviously meant for me. I felt tears threatening to spill over, but I blinked them away.

How she gave it back to boys

Sudha Murty, who has never been one to surrender, proceeded out her academics and returned the favor to the lads by receiving first place in the college.

In time, I became unfazed that my marks were displayed on the notice board. On the contrary, I was proud that I was beating all the boys at their own game as I kept bagging the first rank in the university.

It’s a beautiful message about perseverance, never quitting up in the midst of hardship. And most significantly, never allowing anyone, regardless of gender, hinder the process of your aspirations!

Read the entire excerpt here.

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