President Draupadi Murmu has nominated philanthropist Sudha Murthy to the Rajya Sabha, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media update on March 8.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his joy at Murthy’s nomination to the Upper House. He highlighted that her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a strong representation of the nation’s ‘Nari Shakti’ (Women Power).

“I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji’s contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to our ‘Nari Shakti’, exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation’s destiny. Wishing her a fruitful Parliamentary tenure,” the post by the prime minister read.

Who is Sudha Murthy?

Murty, aged 73, is renowned as a philanthropist, author, and former chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. Her husband, Narayana Murthy, is the founder of the IT giant Infosys, while UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is her son-in-law.

Recognized for her contributions to social work, Murty received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2006. In 2023, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

Beginning her professional journey in computer science and engineering, Murty is actively involved in public healthcare initiatives with the Gates Foundation. She has established numerous orphanages, contributed to rural development projects, advocated for computer and library facilities in Karnataka government schools, and founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.