The eminent bilingual writer of Kannada and English books, Sudha Murty is famous for her philanthropic activities and is the chairperson of Infosys Foundation. She was a keen academician since childhood and became the first female engineer to be hired in TELCO, India’s largest automobile manufacturer. With an aim to empower as many women as possible, Murty's indefatigable efforts to spread awareness about rural hygiene, education, cleanliness have been recognized worldwide and appreciated.
Sudha Murty is a prolific writer of numerous books. Her books have been translated into all the major Indian languages and have been sold all over the country. She was the recipient of the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature and the Padma Shri in 2006. She has published several books that espouse her philosophical views on charity, hospitality, normal life and self-realization through fictional and non-fictional narratives. “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” is one her most celebrated works, with the title story been translated to more than 15 languages.
EARLY LIFE:
On 19 August 1950, Sudha Murthy was born in a Brahmin family in Shiggaon, Karnataka. Her father Dr R.H. Kulkarni who was a surgeon and her mother Vimala Kulkarni supported her in her endeavours right from her childhood and raised young Sudha along with her three siblings. An educated atmosphere in the family instilled in her a passion to do something extraordinary at an early age. Sudha Murthy’s brother Srinivas Kulkarni is a renowned astronomer who received the Dan David Prize in 2017. Her early life experiences and affinity to her grandmother became the foundation for some of her books.
EDUCATION:
Sudha Murthy completed her BE in Electrical Engineering from B.V.B College of Engineering, Hubli, where she won a gold medal for her exceptional academic performance. Later on, she considered the option for higher studies and went to pursue her ME in Computer Science in 1974 from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and later received a gold medal from the then Karnataka chief minister for topping both the final exams.
Sudha Murthy has always been an advocate of women’s rights and a pioneer in the development of education. Once she wrote to Tata Motors, also known as Telco about their men-only policy, and for that she was called to an interview, and later became the first female engineer to be employed in India. Her position at Telco was important in redefining the company’s jobs policies.
Besides supporting her husband Narayana Murthy in establishing Infosys and giving him the initial investment, she has written a humongous volume of literature which includes books for kids as well. Through her books, she has encouraged the young and elderly to inculcate a habit of reading in them. Sudha Murthy’s education and relentless efforts at contributing towards the improvement in society has made her a brand name. Through her Infosys Foundation, she has helped in spreading awareness about education, public hygiene, poverty alleviation, etc.
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