Life Of Sudha Murty, And How She Become An Inspiration To Millions

The nicest jewelry she wears is minimalism. She’s basic, yet she’s a force to be reckoned with. She is both maverick and submissive. She is audacious while remaining humble. She is a good person. She is intellectually capable. She exudes self-assurance. She is a role model. Sudha Murty is a woman’s woman. She’s a motivated implementer, a globetrotter, a tenacious social worker, a talented engineer, a homemaker, and a writer. She’s always expanding her identity. She had to make difficult decisions when the tech sector was dominated by men.

She was bold enough to sport a bob haircut in the late 1960s, which was a controversy at the time. But she eventually became a crucial piece of the integrity of Infosys.

Sudha Murty was the only female engineer back then

Back in the year 1960, she was the only woman who applied for an engineering course in the college. And in that time, it was considered a male domain, but Sudha broke bars.
There was no women’s restroom on campus back then because it was such a ‘men’s’ event.

Her days consisted of smeared ink on her chair and paper airplanes being hurled her way. As she was the only female in a class of 150 students. Before the exam results were revealed, everyone knew her grades. And her grades have been the only thing back on the board. Sudha, on the other hand, was unaffected because she had a higher goal in mind.

Narayan owed money to Sudha during their pre-Infosys period

During their courtship, Narayana and Sudha visited as many cinemas and restaurants as they could in Pune. Narayana was usually broke, so he’d beg Sudha to settle his portion, which he’d then refund. Sudha maintained track of his indebtedness for three years, totaling around Rs 4000, something he never paid back. She ripped the book up after their marriage.

She went on a solo trip to US when she was of merely 29

While many of us are still hesitant to travel alone and let’s not forget ‘abba nahi manenge,’ Sudha did so for 3 months on a backpack, thanks to Narayana’s support. She has some memorable experiences to share.

She was once detained by the New York Police Department. It was because they suspected her of being a member of the Italian drug mafia, or she stayed overnight with an older couple in the Grand Canyon’s bottom. Sudha was on a journey long well before we even understood certain things, but most of us only see such events in movies.

She worked full fledged to build Infosys

She accepted a job as a Senior Systems Analyst with Walchand group of Industries to maintain financially health. While Narayana transformed their residence into an Infosys workplace and collaborated with his coworkers. She subsequently worked as a chef, a clerk, and a coder for Infosys while it was still forming.

Sudha is also a writer

Sudha Murty is a New York Times bestselling author, who has released over 1.5 million books, including a diverse range of kids’ literature, short story collections, technological books, travel guides, 24 novels, and numerous nonfiction titles. After a brutal schedule that takes her on the road for 20 days per month for her Infosys Foundation rescue efforts in rural India, this comes as a shock.

First female engineer in TELCO

She discovered an addendum that stated “female candidates need not apply” while applying for a position at TELCO, which she did not acknowledge, and decided to write to JRD Tata, discussing the subject of “men only” gender bias at TELCO, requesting him how a prestigious and forward-thinking family like the Tatas, “which always thought ahead of time, could put such a restriction.”

She was given a special screening with a compensated roundtrip and was recruited on the spot, much to her amazement. She was then employed as a Development Engineer with India’s leading automaker, TATA, in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Jamshedpur.

Constantly supported her husband

She eventually relocated to Mumbai, and when Narayana approached her with the concept (which ultimately formed Infosys) but with no cash, she handed him Rs 10,000 from her savings and informed him that she was offering him a three-year vacation during which she would keep hold of the housing bills while he pursued his ambition. But only for a period of three years.

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

JRD Tata was her main source of inspiration

Sudha ran into JRD out of nowhere as she was departing TELCO. And he was taken aback that she was quitting a position she had worked so hard for. When she told him she was looking to assist create Infosys alongside him, he remarked something to her that has stuck with her ever since:
“If you make lots of money you must give it back to society as you have received so much love from it.”
These statements later inspired her to start the Infosys Foundation, which she continues to lead in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu.

In 1997, she became a director of the Infosys Foundation. Her major thought behind that was to help improve the less-privileged aspects of the society. And also assisted in the construction of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, orphanages, over 3500 libraries, 10,000 toilets, and 2300 dwellings in flood-affected areas.

Sudha is constantly on the road. Visiting over 800 places on her journey. She has also worked on tsunami recovery in Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands, earthquake relief in Gujarat, flood relief in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, and drought assistance in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

She is a huge movie buff

Her academic ability and social service have long been well-known. But few people are aware that she is a major movie buff who even claims to considering a career as a movie journalist. Sudha stated in an interview with Filmfare magazine,

“I have 500 DVDs that I watch in my home theatre. I see a film in totality – its direction, editing… all aspects. People know me as a social worker, as an author… but no one knows me as a movie buff. That’s why I am glad to do this interview with Filmfare. I could have actually become a film journalist. I never get bored of movies!”

A bold personality, with her strong statements

Ms. Murty has stuck up for what she believes in and tends to speak her opinion, from gender inequality to being nicknamed “cattle class” in London. Sudha was labeled a “cattle class” and told to queue in the economy line by a Gucci lady as she was wearing a salwar kameez.

Later, the very same lady, clad in a khadi saree, visited Sudha’s event. To be astounded to see Sudha giving a discussion about Infosys Foundation. Sudha used this event to inspire her new book, Three Thousand Stitches, which addresses some of the current societal persistent prejudices.

“In most metro cities, many college-going girls become part of high-level prostitution because they want to earn quick money to buy designer clothes. This is because of the pressure created by the external force, So when I experienced the same myself at the airport I was more upset than angry,” is what she had to speak about the condition of women.

Sudha, notwithstanding the fact of her being one of India’s wealthiest women. That fact is unfazed by her fortune and appears to be working from her modest Infosys Foundation office. Where she schedules her weeks ahead of time in her damaged journal.

“Money can give you certain comforts but money has limited use. And once you realise that, money becomes a burden to you. You donate it. Money is a heavy bag on your back and you should lead a simple lightweight life,” says Sudha in a very assertive tone.

Every day, she receives hundreds of offers to speak from all across the world, but she only accepts a small percentage of them. She weeds out legitimate contribution inquiries in order to assist those who are in desperate need. While also ensuring that cash does not end up in the hands of criminals.