"It's always very difficult to speak about oneself, because there will always be an element of exaggeration", she says. It's her work that does the talking. Sudha Murty, the soul behind The Infosys Foundation, has made a difference in the lives of many, may be because she was born to do so. "You should have an open mind. I put myself in the shoes of people, who live their life in misery & pain." She takes the example of Siddharth (Gautama Buddha) and says it is he who inspired her to try to wipe the tears of the have-nots.

Having secured a distinction with first rank in Computer Engineering 25 years back, from the Indian Institute of Science, she worked for the Tata's & The Walchand Group of Industries, then as a teacher & an active social worker, Sudha Murty has had a long journey. She was a brilliant student & was always very fond of Engineering. "I wanted to prove that girls can be better at engineering than boys", she says. She started the Computer Science Dept. of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women. It grew to be one of the best Computer Science departments under Bangalore University. She has won many laurels for her teaching. The secret for her success has been that she never demanded respect, but commanded it. Her students were more than happy to offer it to her. She has also worked at the Central College for the M.C.A. Department. Teaching is synonymous in her. It is her ability to give unselfishly, and openly, that makes her very popular with her students. She can never cease to be a teacher. Currently, she is a visiting professor at Christ College for the PG Courses in the MBA and MCA departments.

However, it was during her tenure at the house of Tata's as a Development Engineer, when she learned about the 'value system' one should possess, which reflects very strongly in her. She was very conscious about learning the work ethics, because she is a woman. It was here, that she got the inspiration for doing charity, for which she earmarked a part of her salary.

She has been highly inspired from the lives of Buddha & Christ. It is their teachings & beliefs, which have made a difference in her life. "They lived for the people" she says. "One should, in one's life do something for the upliftment of the society". When asked what her source of sustenance was, she said the glitter in the eyes of a prostitute, the compassion which is shown for the poor and the smile on a lame man's face is what keeps her going. She expects no return for what she does.

"In an ocean of poverty & misery, whatever I do is insufficient. I've never felt that I've achieved anything in life...at the most if somebody recognizes my work, I feel good about it."

Sudha Murty has also authored eight novels in Kannada. The suffering of the people inspired her to write. The main characters in all her books are very highly educated non-compromising, highly principled women. "I write because I'm sensitive. All writers are sensitive." She writes in Kannada, because she feels that it is her language. Her thought process runs in Kannada.

She keeps her goals very small. "I take things as they come". Her only goal is to be a good human being. She looks up to people who have lived their lives for others. People like JRD Tata, who did a lot for the society, without getting any benefit out of that.

"I pass through this world only once. If I can do some good work, show some kindness to others; let me do it now."  
                                       - Sudha Murty

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