On the International Women’s Day, President Droupadi Murmu nominated educator, author and philanthropist Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha.

Expressing happiness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said her contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring.

Taking to X, the PM wrote: “I am delighted that the President of India has nominated @SmtSudhaMurty 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 former chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, Murty is married to the co-founder of Infosys N R Narayana Murty. She is mother-in-law of Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Murty, who was nominated to the Upper House under ‘eminent citizens’ category for social service and education, expressed her happiness on the news, and stated that she will now have a bigger platform to work.

“I’m very happy and surprised. And this news has come on Womens Day. Happy that I’m getting a bigger platform to work,” she said. She thanked the Prime Minister for appreciating her work.

“I am happy and at the same time I feel I have been given more responsibility. It is very nice of him, he (PM Modi) appreciated my work, I want to thank him. I am happy that I will get a bigger platform to work for the poor,” she said.

In reference to her son-in-law Sunak, she stated that, ”I don’t think that I could consider myself a politician. I am a nominated Rajya Sabha member. My son-in-law’s politics for his country is different and my work is different…”

BJP president J P Nadda said her commitment to making positive impact was truly commendable and party National General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh wrote: “A writer, a philanthropist, a self made woman, cultural ambassador, above all a simple human being brings with her loads of social awareness to august house.”

Murty was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award for social work in 2006. Later in 2023, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.

Sudha Murty began her professional career in computer science and engineering. She is a member of the public health care initiatives of the Gates Foundation. She has founded several orphanages, participated in rural development efforts, supported the movement to provide all Karnataka government schools with computer and library facilities, and established Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.