In a society where many people prioritize money over relationships, values, and family; we believe, Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy’s powerful advice about money is more important than ever.
Sudha Murty, who embarked on an inspiring journey, from a middle-class daughter of a doctor in Hubli to a well-renowned multi-millionaire philanthropist, has a powerful take on money and values.
Sudha Murty has showcased at multiple occasions that how money hasn’t changed her values at all. In one of her earlier lectures on ‘Circle of Life’, she shared one such powerful piece of advice on money that we wish our money-obsessed society pay attention to.
While speaking about the circle of life to hundreds of children and youngsters at Kala Academy a few years back, Sudha Murty gave many powerful insights on why as a society, we shouldn’t let ourselves be fooled about the power of money.
And, here’s what she had to say:
Have More Faith In Poor Than Rich
Even being a multi-millionaire herself, Sudha Murthy shared how she has more faith in the poor than rich. The prolific English and Kannada writer said:
“I have more faith in the poor people than the rich.”
She further added how the poor of our country taught her the real philosophy of life. She further added:
“The poor people struggle but they are sincere. I learnt from them that you don’t need money to be happy in life but compassionate to fight for what you believe in.”
In the era, when we are loaded with examples of rich business tycoons leaving the country after stealing the country’s money, we couldn’t agree more with Sudha Murthy for having faith in poor than rich.
In contrary to the examples of Vijay Malaya and Nirav Modi, she spoke about almost 3000 Devdasi women, whom her foundation rehabilitated, paid back the loan they took from the foundation. Without uttering a word about the defaulters in our so-called rich society, she said:
“Not a single woman defaulted.”
She also recalled another incident when a blind temple priest in a village of Tamil Nadu, refused her help of Rs 25,000, stating that he had drawn his line and was happy with a Dakshina of Rs one.
Her powerful real-life examples might make you wonder how our society’s prioritization of money over social values may have contributed to a large extent of deterioration of the DNA of our society. No wonder, how young minds end up worshipping the movie stars who showcase the luxurious life-style over the real heroes like our soldiers, teachers, and doctors.
The Real Power Isn’t Money
Talking further about contrary to the famous belief that money is the real power, Sudha Murthy adds:
“What is money? How much money you can earn and how much you can enjoy? Not beyond certain limit. Money is not everything. In fact it’s a curse and a burden which you need to unload”,
Speaking about the real power, she further added:
“The Real power is courage and not money and courage comes through compassion. And compassion is a flower with fragrance.
You need courage within yourself to achieve your goals. You are your best friend and your ardent enemy. The difficulty lies in your mind, nowhere else. Things are never scary, they are made scary to you. Be master of yourself and you will achieve”, she said
Talking about her own failures and courage, she shared:
“Failure is the most essential component of your success. Most of the successful people in the world had maximum failures in their lives. Repeated success in fact makes you arrogant. No matter what the society says, live with your opinion and work passionately”,
We wish in a world, where our society often judges people on the basis of money and luxury, Sudha Murthy’s message will make many re-think what is more important in life.
At I FOR HER, we celebrate Sudha Murthy’s inspirational way of not letting her social status and money deplete her sense of moral values and humanity! And, hope her thought-process will inspire our young minds too.
