Today is Thursday, October 16, 2025. Sudha Murthy is a famous Indian author, engineer, and social worker. She is known for her simple and kind way of writing and helping people. This article shares her life story, early days, career, and important moments in her life, in simple English for beginners.
Early Life And Education
Sudha Murthy was born on August 19, 1950, in a small town called Shiggaon, in Karnataka, India. Her father was a doctor, and her mother was a school teacher. She grew up in a loving family with her parents and grandparents. Sudha went to a Kannada medium school until 10th grade. She loved learning and reading books from a young age. Later, she joined B.V.B. College of Engineering and Technology in Hubli to study electrical engineering. She was very bright and finished her degree first in her class. The then Chief Minister of Karnataka gave her a gold medal for this. After that, she earned her master's degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Science, one of India's top institutes. She was also first in her class there and received another gold medal.
Sudha Murthy Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Daughter
Career
At a time when very few women worked as engineers, Sudha wrote a letter to J.R.D. Tata, the chairman of Tata Motors (then called TELCO). She told him about how women were not hired at the company. This brave step worked. J.R.D. Tata personally called her for an interview and hired her as the first female engineer at TELCO. She worked in Pune, Mumbai, and Jamshedpur on many projects. She showed that women could do great work in engineering too. Later, she worked with other companies and also became a teacher at Christ University. Sudha’s work helped open doors for many women engineers in India.
Social Work
Sudha Murthy is more than an engineer. She is a big hearted social worker. In 1996, she started the Infosys Foundation to help poor and needy people. The Foundation works on many projects like building libraries, helping schools, supporting health care, and aiding disaster relief. Sudha has traveled across India and other countries to spread knowledge and kindness. She also believes in giving back to society and helping the less fortunate. Her phrase, "Generosity of a few is hope for millions," shows her deep care for people.
Writing Career
Sudha Murthy is a very famous writer too. She writes in English and Kannada, mostly simple stories based on real life. Her stories teach good values like kindness, honesty, and courage. Some of her popular books include “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read,” which is loved by children and adults alike. She has written more than 30 books, including novels, travel stories, technical books, and memoirs. Her writings are easy to understand and full of life lessons. They have been translated into many Indian languages and sold millions of copies. Sudha also writes columns for newspapers in English and Kannada.
Awards
Sudha Murthy has received many awards for her work in literature and social service. In 2006, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri award, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. She also won the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature and the Attimabbe Award for excellence in Kannada literature. Besides, she has received seven honorary doctorates from different universities. She is respected not just for her career but also for her humility and kindness towards everyone.
Summary
Sudha Murthy’s life is an inspiring story of hard work, courage, and compassion. She showed how a woman from a small town could become a great engineer, a famous writer, and a helper of millions through her charity work. Her simple words and genuine heart touch people everywhere. Sudha Murthy continues to inspire young people, especially girls, to follow their dreams and always help others in need.