Karnataka - Bangalore

Work gives me more happiness than awards, says Sudha Murthy

Staff Reporter

Former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachalaiah showers praises on her, calls her a `gem of India'

LAURELS: Former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachalaiah felicitating Sudha Murthy at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Trustee and Chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murthy, who was recently given the Padmasri award, on Thursday said: "My work only is my Padmasri."

She was felicitated by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here for being bestowed with the honour.

Work is pleasure

In her reply to the felicitation, she said she derived more pleasure out of her work. "I feel thrilled when I see that joy on faces of children and the poor who benefit from our Trust. The satisfaction and joy I see in my work is my Padmasri," she said.

Ms. Murthy, who said she had repeatedly requested the organisers not to heap praises on her, said she wondered what extraordinary she had done to be honoured with Padmasri. "I am happy with the Padmasri. But I have seen far greater happiness in my life," she said.

"I enjoy doing charity work but I do not do it for awards or praise. I have realised that there are three forms of `giving'. One is when you help somebody for mutual benefits, the other is when you give without expecting anything in return and the third is when you help people who dislike you. I consider the last one to be the higher form of giving," Ms. Murthy said.

Ms. Murthy said she had come across many situations in life when she had derived utmost pleasure after helping people who disliked her. "May be their hatred towards me is right because they feel I have wronged. But helping such people is above everything," she said.

The former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachalaiah, who felicitated her on behalf of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, called her a "gem of India".

Pointing out that she had enhanced the stature of the Padmasri by receiving it, Mr. Venkatachalaiah said: "I do not propose to congratulate her on receiving the award. I actually want to congratulate those people who have chosen her for the award," he said.

`Sterling contribution'

Lauding the contribution of Infosys Chief Mentor Narayana Murthy, Mr. Venkatachalaiah said: "The couple has made a sterling contribution to the country both through their company and social service. They are a shining example of integrity and efficiency for young and talented people," he said.

Appreciating Ms. Sudha Murthy's simplicity and modesty, the former Chief Justice said: "Great success can go with great humility and great graciousness. Ms. Sudha Murthy has been a shining example of this. She has been an icon in achieving this kind of success."

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's president N. Ramanuja and Director Mathoor Krishna Murthy spoke.

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