The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Work gives me more happiness than awards: Sudha Murthy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 10, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Work gives me more happiness than awards: Sudha Murthy

Staff Reporter

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

LAURELS: Former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachalaiah felicitating writer 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.

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.

`Enjoy charity work'

"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.

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". Lauding the contribution of Infosys Chief Mentor Narayana Murthy, Mr. Venkatachalaiah said: "The couple has made a sterling contribution to the country through their company and social service. "

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail