Sudha Murthy

Sudha Murthy (born Sudha Koppula, 19 August 1950) is an Indian educator, author, philanthropist, and the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is the wife of N.R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, one of India's largest IT companies. Sudha Murthy is known for her simple lifestyle, extensive philanthropic work, and popular books in Kannada and English. Born in Shiggaon, Karnataka, Murthy was one of the first female engineers to work at TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO). She was the only woman in her engineering class at the BVB College of Engineering and Technology. She later joined Infosys as the first female employee and has been chairperson of the Infosys Foundation since 1996. Under her leadership, the Infosys Foundation has built schools, hospitals, libraries, and public infrastructure across India, particularly in rural areas. The foundation has donated over ₹5,000 crore ($600 million) to various causes. Murthy is also a prolific author, having written over 30 books including "The Mother I Never Knew" (2018), "Grandma's Bag of Stories" (2015), "Wise and Otherwise" (2006), and "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" (2015). Her books are known for their simplicity and focus on values, life lessons, and Indian culture. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 for her social work.