In a world, where people believe in showing off their money in the form of expensive luxuries, Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy’s simplicity & modesty is something we need more than ever.
While her rich and famous counterparts believe in showcasing their status through expensive dresses, luxury or jewelry, it is heartwarming how Sudha Murthy showcases it through her moral values. She is a role model for our society, that has an unruly obsession with money.
Sudha Murthy has showcased at multiple occasions that how money hasn’t changed her values at all. Here are some of those instances when she taught us how humanity and values are priceless and no money could buy them.
#1. Offering services at Temples & Gurudwaras
A few years back, in her interview with Bangalore Mirror, Sudha Murthy, whose wealth is estimated to be Rs 2,480 crore, shared one of the heart-touching lessons on modesty that we feel is a must-read!
As quoted by the news site,
“During three days in a year, Sudha wakes up at 4 am and heads to the Raghavendra Swamy temple to offer her service in the most modest way possible. Accompanied by a lone assistant, she goes to the kitchen of the temple, which is a block away from her z-security-guarded house in Jayanagar.
And, for the next 4 hours, Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, cleans the kitchen and the adjoining rooms; washes the dirty utensils, dusts the shelves, chops vegetables, takes inventory of stock, sweeps the yard and empties the trash cans.
She seeks the help of her assistant only to carry the large sacks of vegetables and rice to the storeroom as because her age she couldn’t carry the heavy bags. At 9 am, Sudha returns to the two-storey building that’s been her home for the last 25 years.”
But, what she shared with Bangalore Mirror is one of the most important lessons for our money-obsessed society,
“Giving money is easy, because it is a simple transaction. But doing physical seva is not.”
Influenced by the Sikh philosophy of ‘Kar Seva’, she can often be seen “taking care” of devotees’ footwear at a Gurudwara in Delhi too. And, in reply to the question of why she does all this, she mentioned:
“In the eyes of God we all are equal, but not in the eyes of the society.”
This is so true that society may treat people with money or social status differently but not the GOD or supreme power. But this isn’t the only time when she has given us the lesson on modesty.
#2. Buying Vegetables From Local Vendors Without Bargaining
Recently, Sudha Murthy was seen buying her own vegetables from local vendors. And, this heart-touching photo overtook the social media for the right reason.
In the photograph, you could see Sudha Murthy, accompanied by her relative Narayana Kulkarni, buying vegetables from the local vegetable sellers of Jamakhandi weekly market local market. As per the sources, she didn’t bargain with any of the vendors. Instead, she listened to the challenges faced by both sellers and vegetable growers.
#3. Giving Up One Of The Things She Loves The Most
In her quest to lead a simple life, Sudha Murthy, who could always be seen in simple sarees, has not bought a single one in the last 21 years. Her decision behind not buying a saree may come as a surprise to many but is quite an inspirational one. Here’s how her pledge to get rid of things she didn’t require in life and gave her a sense of freedom. And, saree was one of them!
Sudhaji often faced prejudice for the way she chooses to live her life, especially in the way she dresses. But nothing managed to shake Sudha Murthy’s conviction to lead a simple and modest life.
#4. Touching Feet Of Her Teacher
How could we forget what Sudha Murthy did when she visited her college B.V.B. College of Engineering and Technology for the Alumni reunion. Her sweet gesture of touching her former professor’s feet during the alum reunion shows – No matter how high you grow, don’t forget your roots.
We wish in a world, where people are running after luxury, Sudha Murthy’s message will make people re-think what is 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!