Rishi
Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, expressed his pride after
Sudha Murty, a renowned Indian author and social worker, was awarded the Padma
Bhushan, one of the highest civilian honors in India. Sunak, who is of Indian
origin, congratulated Sudha Murty on social media and praised her contribution
to literature and philanthropy. In this article, we will delve deeper into
Sudha Murty’s achievements and Rishi Sunak’s reaction to her award.
Who
is Sudha Murty?
Sudha
Murty is an Indian author, social worker, and philanthropist. She was born in
Shiggaon, a small town in Karnataka, India, in 1950. She holds a degree in
electrical engineering from the B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and
Technology in Hubli, Karnataka, and a Master’s degree in computer science from
the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Sudha
Murty started her career as a computer scientist and worked for Tata
Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO) in Pune for several years. Later,
she switched to writing and has authored over 200 books in English and Kannada,
including novels, short stories, and children’s books. Her books have been
translated into several Indian and foreign languages, including French, German,
Spanish, and Japanese.
Besides
writing, Sudha Murty is also known for her philanthropic work. She is the
chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a charitable organization that focuses
on education, health, rural development, and the arts. Through the foundation,
Sudha Murty has contributed to several social causes, such as building schools,
hospitals, and community centers, and providing scholarships and grants to
underprivileged students and artists.
Sudha
Murty’s Awards and Recognition:
Sudha
Murty’s contributions to literature and social work have earned her several
awards and recognition in India and abroad. Some of her notable awards include:
Padma
Shri – India’s fourth-highest civilian award (2006)
R.K.
Narayan Award for Literature (2006)
Attimabbe
Award for Excellence in Kannada Literature (2011)
Lifetime
Achievement Award for Social Impact (2018)
Sudha
Murty’s Contribution to Literature:
Sudha
Murty’s books are known for their simplicity, realism, and social relevance.
Her stories often portray the lives of common people, their struggles, and
their triumphs. Some of her popular books include “Wise and
Otherwise,” “The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk,” “How I
Taught My Grandmother to Read,” and “The Old Man and His God.”
Sudha
Murty’s books have been widely read and appreciated for their humanistic values
and social messages. Her writing style is often compared to that of R.K.
Narayan, another famous Indian author who portrayed the Indian middle-class
life in his novels.
Sudha
Murty’s Contribution to Philanthropy:
Sudha
Murty’s philanthropic work through the Infosys Foundation has touched the lives
of thousands of people across India. Some of the notable projects undertaken by
the foundation include:
Construction
of schools and hospitals in rural areas
Donation
of ambulances and medical equipment to government hospitals
Scholarships
and financial aid to underprivileged students
Support
to artists and craftsmen through grants and fellowships
Disaster
relief and rehabilitation programs during natural calamities
Sudha
Murty’s philanthropic work has earned her the respect and admiration of people
from all walks of life. Her selfless service to society has inspired many to
follow in her footsteps.
Rishi
Sunak’s Reaction to Sudha Murty’s Padma Bhushan Award:
Rishi
Sunak, who is of Indian origin and serves as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in
the UK, took to Twitter to express his pride and admiration for Sudha Murty’s
achievements. In his tweet, he wrote, “Proud to see Sudha Murty, the
author, and philanthropist, receive the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest
civilian honors. Her contribution to literature and social work is truly
inspiring.”
Sunak’s
tweet received widespread attention and appreciation from both Indian and non-Indian
Twitter users. Many praised him for acknowledging and celebrating the
achievements of an Indian woman, while others applauded Sudha Murty‘s
contributions to literature and philanthropy.
Sunak’s
reaction to Sudha Murty’s award is significant, as it highlights the importance
of recognizing and appreciating diversity and cultural contributions in a
globalized world. It also shows that cultural exchange and mutual respect can
promote understanding and solidarity among nations.
Sudha
Murty’s Padma Bhushan award is a testament to her remarkable achievements as an
author, social worker, and philanthropist. Her contributions to literature and
social causes have inspired many, and her selfless service to society has
earned her the respect and admiration of people from all over the world. Rishi
Sunak’s reaction to her award is a reminder that cultural diversity and mutual
respect are crucial for a harmonious and inclusive world.