Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that Indian educator and author Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He shared the news in a post on X.

"I am delighted that the President of India has nominated @SmtSudhaMurty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring," PM Modi wrote.

In his announcement, which came on the occasion of International Women's Day, the Prime Minister stated that Murty's presence in the Upper House is "a powerful testament to Nari Shakti (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation's destiny".

Sudha Murty, married to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, is a prolific writer in Kannada and English, authoring novels, technical books, and travelogues. She is mother to venture capitalist Akshata Murty, who is married to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Murty, who is not in India at the moment, thanked PM Modi for the nomination and said, “It’s a big Women’s Day gift to me. It’s a new responsibility to work for the country.”

Born on August 19, 1950 in Karnataka's Shiggaon, Sudha Murty began her career as a computer scientist and engineer, going on to become the first female engineer hired at Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (Telco).

Murty's philanthropic efforts are extensive. The Padma Bhushan awardee chairs the Infosys Foundation, which has tackled issues like poverty, healthcare, and sanitation. Through the foundation, she's built thousands of homes in flood-affected areas, established libraries in schools, and funded the construction of public toilets.

Her influence extends beyond India, as she founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.

Source: India Today