“I enjoy the process of distribution of wealth more than the creation of  wealth," says Sudha Murthy, the wife of Narayan Murthy, the founder of Infosys.An engineer, writer, teacher and social activist, she has made waves in every field she entered. At her first job in Telco, Sudha Kulkarni (her maiden name) became the first woman engineer at the shop floor of the company. Her ‘rainy-day savings’ stored in a kitchen cupboard was part of the seed money used to create the Software giant - Infosys. As a writer she has published several novels and her book Dollar Bahu was turned into a TV serial on ZEE TV. As the chairperson of the Infosys foundation she is working on transforming lives of the have-nots, particularly in rural India

At one time, she was the Head of the Department of Computer Science in a reputed college in Bangalore. She continues to be a visiting Professor at the Post-Graduate center of a reputed college, while discharging her duties as Chairperson of Infosys Foundation.

She was the featured speaker at a dinner event organized by the TIE women's initiative held at the Burlington Marriot on Tuesday, May 31, 2005. Dressed in a simple saree,wearing very little jewelery and no make up this super-star was able to connect with everyone in the audience. "Sudha Murthy was an extremely inspiring speaker. She showed us how the fruits of entrepreneurship can be applied to helping those at the bottom of the pyramid" said Eva Ghosh , Chair of the TIE Women's initiative.

Sudha Murthy spoke to Lokvani about her life and her philanthropy.

Your first claim to fame was winning the fight to became the first woman engineer at the shop floor in Telco. Yet when the time came to form Infosys, you stayed home and took care of the family and let your husband build a company that changed the world. Had the roles been reversed what would the world look like?

I never really have given any thought to hypothetical events. At that time it was a heart-wrenching decision to give up engineering. I really loved my work and I was good at it. But now I am glad I did. Having raised children, I can say with confidence that it is the mother who builds the character of the child. I am glad I had the time to spend with my children.

I now realize that I enjoy the process of distribution of wealth more than the creation of wealth. I have the opportunity to do what I love, which is philanthrophy. I am glad that I was able to establish the Infosys foundation and use it to make a difference in world.

Could you describe the activities of the Infosys foundation?

Infosys Foundation came into being with the objective of supporting the underprivileged in our society. We have an annual budget of about three million. We are supported entirely by Infosys. We have a small staff but mostly we are a volunteer run organization. Many of the youngsters working at Infosys make a lot of money at a very young age. I think working on these projects gives them a perspective on life.  They are not paid to work on these projects. They have to take leave from Infosys and come and work on their own time.

Our work is focused in states where Infosys has offices. I feel that since the company is using the infrastructural facilities provided by the state, it is our moral duty to help the underprivileged in that state. I travel nearly twenty days per month and work in rural areas in five different states. Our focus is on healthcare, education, social rehabilitation and rural upliftment and art. We also work on providing disaster relief. Most recently we worked to provide relief for Tsunami victims.

Is there any risk involved in going into rural areas which have no electricity or proper sanitation? When you work on social rehabilitation are you putting yourself in danger from associated gangs?

 Life itself is a risk. Who knows what is going to happen tomorrow?  Some people worry that I go to places where there are no conveniences. I do not care about conveniences. They worry that sometimes I put myself in danger from people who oppose my work like when I was trying to help sex workers change their trade. There is risk. There is danger. My perspective is simple - what is the worst thing that can happen? I will be killed.  I am not afraid. If I can accomplish something good then every risk is worth it.

Was the transition from engineering to philanthropy difficult?

Not at all. My engineering training came in very handy as I moved into philanthropy. I use my analytical skills to approach every problem scientifically and logically. The systematic approach I learnt in engineering, allows me to achieve much in a short timeframe. I have skills to create viable project plans and be able to measure success at the end of each project. I am meticulous about data collection and entry . This helps keep the operations transparent and builds accountability.

Based on your experience, would you agree with people who discourage women from engineering education on the grounds that women may not use this education effectively due to family commitments?

I disagree with them completely. Living in ignorance is living in imprisonment. No education is ever a waste. A woman who has had an engineering education never wastes it. Even if women do not pursue an engineering career, the skills they learn can be used.  No educated woman is ever idle.  Analytical skills are useful whether one is  doing community work or they are handling a family crisis.  Women often come back to work when their children are older.

Building libraries is a focus area for the Infosys foundation. What motivated you to start this initiative?

From a very young age books have always held a fascination for me. My grandfather was a teacher and he used to often play a game where he would give the first line of a poem and I had to complete it.  "If I have wings.."  was the start of one of his poems  and “I would go to  the neighboring  village library and read all the other book” was the sentence I used to complete it. He was much taken with these words and told me about Andrew Carnegie who built great libraries. He  made me promise that if and when I had some money I would buy books for libraries. I am trying to keep my word.  I am proud that we have built nearly 12,000 libraries

Are there special stories from your philanthropic work that have touched your heart?

Oh there are so many  But I will share one. I went to a village where we had loaned money to women to buy a sewing machine. (We always loan money rather than donate it, since it gives women an incentive to be entrepreneurial.) A woman came running to me and thanked me for loaning her the money. “I had lost my husband and only son. Many women from this area migrated to Bombay as sex workers. I had that offer made to me when you gave us the sewing machine. I weighed the pros and cons and decided to refuse the offer to become a sex worker. I started stitching petticoats with the sewing machine and I am able to make nearly 500 rupees a month. I can take care of myself and I live an honorable life. I brought you two petticoats to thank you for your gift to me. I am now planning to raise some money for a bangle business” I was so moved that I gave her Rs 1000 for her business and told her to accept it as a gift.

Do you have any message for the Indian Diaspora in New England? How can they help India?

I must tell all Indian Americans that I am very impressed with each and every one of them. They have come across the sea and succeeded in an alien environment. Though their hard work they  have improved India’s image in the world. I think they have already helped India.

Many send money to several causes. That is very nice, but I would urge everyone to send their children to India to participate in philanthropic work. They will then understand the value of the struggle that their parents have undergone to give them the life they have.

Can Indian American children volunteer at Infosys foundation?

I think our work may not be suitable since we work in rural areas. I live in places where there is no sanitation or electricity.  If there are people who are willing to live in such circumstances, I would first ask them to read my books like 'How I taught my grandmother to read 'and other stories.  It will give a perspective on the work we do. They need to give at least a year of your time. Without that nothing much can be accomplished.
 
There are other organizations like Seva and Indicorps that are doing excellent work and may have opportunities in more urban areas.

It is an honor to meet you. Thank you

Thank you

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