Empowering Sex Workers To Building Toilets, A Look At Padma Bhushan 2023 Awardee Sudha Murty's Work

On March 5, Dr Sudha Murty was bestowed with Padma Bhushan from President Droupadi Murmu for her social work. The philanthropist and author attended the ceremony with her daughter Akshata Murty, who is currently the first lady of the UK.

After receiving the award, Dr Sudha said, “I owe this award to the people of India. I hope my recognition today inspires the younger generation to take up social welfare as a vocation. It is needed for the continuous development of our great nation. I always feel that the generosity of a few is hope for a million."

Here is a look at Murty’s philanthropist work.

Sudha Murty

Trained as an engineer, Sudha Murty became a computer science teacher and social worker. She married N. R. Narayana Murthy, who later co-founded Infosys, one of the biggest tech companies in India.

She later founded the Infosys Foundation, which had been the source of many philanthropist work for decades now.

Sudha Murty Empowered Sex Workers

Sudha Murty had worked with many sex workers, also known as devadasis, servants of the Lord. Traditionally, they were musicians or dancers,who used to perform in temples to please Gods. They were held in high regard, however, as time passed, temples were destroyed, and these women fell prey to people with malicious intentions. Soon devadasis became a synonym for sex workers.

When Murty established the foundation, one of the first works was to assist the plights of devadasis. In one of her books, she mentioned that she had helped about 3,000 sex workers in Karnataka to find rehabilitation. The journey was not easy. What started with the throwing of tomatoes and greeting with chappals (footwear), ended in the empowerment of many devadasis and their kids.

Sudha Murty Helped Improving Government Schools

In February 2020, the Infosys Foundation announced that it would be donating a large amount to help the Karnataka government to install equipment in about 1,000 state-run higher primary schools so that students can get benefits from smart classes.

The foundation also donated ₹1 crore for the training of teachers in science subjects to ensure that the learning of students does not get hampered in any way.

Don't Miss: Trolling Aishwarya Rai For Her Daughter's Hairstyle Is Not Cool

Sudha Murty Built 16,000 Toilets Around India

When Murty appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati season 11, she revealed that she had built around 16,000 toilets all over the country after founding the Infosys Foundation. She said, “In those years, what I truly understood is the importance of a hygienic toilet because, without it, only a woman can understand what hardships she has to face.”

Apart from improving sanitation, Murty has worked towards building education scholarship programs, empowered war widows, contributed to disaster relief funds, created opportunities for youth and helped orphans find their footing in this world. She built 2,300 houses in the flood-affected areas of India and released funds for 7,000 libraries.

Don't Miss: Meet Tashnuva Anan Shishir: The First Transgender News Anchor In Bangladesh

In 2006, she received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. She is known for her books, about 100 now, in more than 16 Indian languages. The same year, she was also conferred with the R. K. Narayan's Award for Literature.

Sudha Murty’s work has changed many lives and inspired many people. For more updates, stay tuned to HerZindagi.

Recommended Video