Sudha Murty conferred with Padma Bhushan India’s third-highest civilian award

New Delhi : President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma awards to distinguished awardees across diverse fields at Rashtrapati Bhavan Wednesday evening. At the function, author and philanthropist Sudha Murty was also conferred with Padma Bhushan for social work.
Among those present at the awards ceremony included her daughter Akshata Murty, who is married to the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. She was seen in the front row next to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Anurag Thakur along with other dignitaries at the majestic Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In a picture that has surfaced online, Akshata Murty stood next to Mr Jaishankar as the national anthem was played at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
Sudha Murty, 72, was recognised for her contribution to social work. A popular author and philanthropist from Karnataka, Sudha Murty serves as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation.
Sudha Murty’s husband and Infosys founder, N R Narayana Murthy, son Rohan Murty, and her sister Dr Sunanda Kulkarni were also present at the ceremony. A philanthropist, and renowned author, Sudha Murty, was also the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation until December 2021.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and several Union ministers were also present at the function.
“Yesterday I watched with unspeakable pride as my mother received the Padma Bhushan award from the President of India at the Padma Awards 2023 ceremony (India’s highest civilian awards) in New Delhi, in recognition of her contributions in social work,” Akshata’s said.
She added, “On IWD last month, I reflected on my mother’s extraordinary journey, from STEM to storytelling, but her charitable and volunteering efforts have served as her greatest inspiration to me. Always asking if she can be doing more, she has given back to her community countless times: founding and running a series of philanthropic organisations for 25 years; funding numerous literacy initiatives; and jumping into action to aid those most in need – many in the most remote parts of India – after natural disasters have destroyed their lives.”
Stating that her mother does not live for recognition, Akshata said, “The values my parents have instilled in my brother and me – hard work, humility, selflessness – mean she is always on to the next thing (sic).”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday expressed joy as his mother-in-law Sudha Murty was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. Reacting to wife Akshata Murty’s Instagram post, Sunak said, “A proud day”.