'I Get A Bigger Platform': Sudha Murty to News18 in First Reaction after Rajya Sabha Nomination

Just moments after President Droupadi Murmu nominated author and philanthropist Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the former chairperson of the Infosys Foundation gave a brief glimpse of how she wants to use the opportunity.

Speaking to CNN-News18, she indicated that this will enable her further to do more for the country. “Happy and surprised. It has come on Women’s Day. I hope I will do some work because I get a bigger platform…to my country,” she said.

The 73-year-old from Karnataka’s Shiggaon town near Hubballi city has become an inspirational figure for her philanthropy and simplicity in life.

When asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called her, Murty said, “He didn’t call me. I accept this.”

The President of India nominates 12 members to the upper house of Parliament for their contributions towards arts, literature, sciences, and social services.

Congratulating Murty, the PM said in a post on social media site X that her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to the country’s Nari Shakti as the announcement came on International Women’s Day.

While Murty’s husband, NR Narayana Murthy, is a co-founder of IT giant Infosys, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is her son-in-law. She received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for social work last year and the Padma Shri in 2006.

Quizzed about what she would do during her Rajya Sabha term, Murty, who is currently travelling abroad, said, “I have to do…I have to work for the people of my country.”

The whole family is elated following the announcement. “Our family is happy that she received this prestigious responsibility. We feel she richly deserves this nomination,” said the Narayana Murthy Family in a statement.