Sudha Murty nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu: A Tale of Philanthropy, Power, and Prestige
Renowned philanthropist, engineer, and author Sudha Murty received a Rajya Sabha nomination on Friday, filling the sole vacant seat designated under the nominated category in the upper house after a 21-month vacancy.
The President appoints twelve individuals with specialized knowledge or practical expertise in literature, science, art, and social service to the Rajya Sabha, guided by the central government. In April-May 2022, seven out of the 12 seats became vacant. The President filled five vacancies by nominating figures like P T Usha (athlete), D V Heggade (social worker), V Vijayendra Prasad (screenwriter-director), Ilaiyaraaja (music composer), and Gulam Ali (engineer). Two seats remained unoccupied until President Droupadi Murmu selected Punjab educationist Satnam Singh Sandhu on January 30. Sudha Murty filled the last vacancy.
Also read: Sudha Murty: A Beacon in Literature, Champion of Philanthropy, and Nominee for Rajya Sabha
Empowering Women in Parliament: Sudha Murty’s Rajya Sabha Nomination
Sudha Murty’s nomination, as the wife of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and the former chairperson of Infosys Foundation, coincided with International Women’s Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion by declaring that her presence in the Rajya Sabha would serve as a “powerful testament to our ‘Nari Shakti’, exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation’s destiny. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight, stating on X, “I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha ji’s contributions to diverse fields, including social work, philanthropy, and education, have been immense and inspiring.”
In a heartfelt statement, Murty shared, “It is my privilege and honor to be nominated by President Droupadi Murmu. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our country and its people, both of whom have taught me so much about life. I also thank PM Modi for recognizing ‘nari shakti’ on this International Women’s Day. I shall strive to live up to what my elders taught me when I was growing up, that the purpose of this life and body is to serve others.” Sudha Murty, a Padma Bhushan awardee, has authored over 30 books and received accolades such as Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Padma Shri (2006). After a dedicated 25-year tenure devoted to social causes, she retired as the chairperson of Infosys Foundation in 2021, having been its chief since its inception in December 1996.
Unveiling Sudha Murthy’s Financial Stature and Stake in Infosys
As per the latest shareholding data submitted to the BSE, Sudha Murty possesses 3.45 crore Infosys shares, valued at approximately Rs 5,586.66 crore. Simultaneously, her husband Narayan Murthy holds 1.66 crore equity shares valued at Rs 2,691 crore. Sudha Murty, a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan earlier this year, is part of the Murthy family. Their daughter, Akshata, is married to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Notably, Infosys stands as the second-largest information technology company in India and ranks seventh by market capitalization, currently standing at Rs 6,71,121 lakh crore. This market value surpasses that of LIC, the nation’s largest insurance company. It’s important to highlight that companies like Reliance, TCS, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, and Bharti Airtel precede Infosys in market capitalization. The company’s shares closed at Rs 1616.95 on Thursday, showing a marginal decline of 0.02%. Additionally, the stock market remained closed on Friday in observance of Mahashivratri.
Legacy of Sudha Murty: Pioneering Philanthropy, Literacy, and Empowerment
Renowned for her popular children’s books, Sudha Murty is the spouse of veteran businessman and Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy. Notably, she provided the initial seed capital of Rs 10,000 for the establishment of Infosys. The Murty couple has two children, Akshata and Rohan. Akshata Murty being married to the current UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Sudha Murty, an alumna of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), holds the distinction of being the first female engineer on the shop floor at the Tata Engineering & Locomotive Company. Serving as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation until her retirement in 2021, she played a pivotal role in initiating numerous projects to educate and uplift marginalized sections of society. With a literary portfolio boasting over 150 published books, including renowned works like “Three Thousand Stitches,” “Wise & Otherwise,” “Mahashweta,” and “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read,” Sudha Murty has left an indelible mark as an author. As a participant in public healthcare initiatives with the Gates Foundation, Murty has additionally contributed to the establishment of the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University. Prime Minister
