The Inspiring Life of Sudha Murthy: Humility, Philanthropy, and True Class

 

Many Shades of Sudha Murthy 

She is married to the co-founder of Infosys, Narayana Murthy. Sudha Murthy, the daughter of a doctor, grew up in a middle-class family. When Narayana Murthy married her, he was unemployed. Sudha’s father asked her, "How will I introduce an unemployed son-in-law to our relatives and friends?" Sudha replied, "Just say, he is Sudha’s husband!"

One day, Narayana Murthy told Sudha he wanted to start an IT company because there were no truly Indian IT companies at the time. He also said, "For the next three years, I won't be able to contribute any money to the household. We will have to live on your earnings, and I will need your financial help to start the company." Sudha had saved some money, totaling ten thousand two hundred and fifty rupees. Sudha said, "I kept two hundred and fifty rupees for emergencies and loaned the remaining ten thousand to him."Thus began Infosys.

During Infosys's golden era, Narayana Murthy wanted to give Sudha one crore rupees. Sudha told him, "If you want to repay me, return the ten thousand rupees. If you need more, I’ll loan you again. Send the one crore rupees to Mother Teresa instead."

Despite being the wife of the owner of India's largest IT company, Sudha Murthy didn’t adopt a lavish lifestyle. She wore simple sarees, spoke plainly, mingled with ordinary people, and taught at a college. She neither created nor joined the elite class.

A recent trip to Britain highlighted this simplicity. Her daughter sent a business class ticket from London. While in the business class line at boarding, a British couple behind her said, "Madam, you're in the wrong line; this is for business class." The man’s wife added, "Call it cattle class, so she understands." Onboard, Sudha found herself seated next to the same couple. She couldn’t resist asking, "What do you mean by 'class'? Mother Teresa, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Albert Einstein are 'class'. How can this small plane have 'class'?"

At Heathrow Airport, the immigration officer asked Sudha where she would stay in London. She wrote, "10 Downing Street." The officer replied, "Are you kidding me?" Security guards approached, creating a commotion. The British officials couldn’t believe their Prime Minister was hosting such a simple woman’s and her husband!

This is Sudha Murthy’s “class.” In an interview, Sudha concluded, "I am happy because helping the poor and helpless gives me mental peace. If someone calls it charity, they are wrong. There's no such thing as charity. What I do is my duty towards society. Duty is not limited to one's family but extends to society as well."