Author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy was conferred with the Padma Bhushan for social work…reports Asian Lite News
Indian government officials displayed some quick thinking on Wednesday when they spotted Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy’s family sitting in the middle row during the Padma awards ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.
Among the family members, who had gathered to witness Sudha Murthy receiving a Padma award, was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife and First Lady Akshata Murthy. Sensing protocol, she was moved to the front row and seated next to foreign minister S Jaishankar before the function began.
Seated on her other side was the family of vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar while ministers like Anurag Thakur were also in the same row. Akshata stood next to Jaishankar as the national anthem was played at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
There was no British security with Akshata at the event, who was accompanied by father Narayana Murthy, brother Rohan Murthy and Sudha Murthy’s sister. The other family members, however, continued to sit alongside other families in the middle row. The family has always chosen to be low-key.
Author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy was conferred with the Padma Bhushan for social work.
After receiving the Padma Bhushan, Sudha Murty said, “I owe this award to the people of India. I hope my recognition today inspires the younger generation to take up social welfare as a vocation. It is needed for the continuous development of our great nation. I always feel that generosity of a few is hope for a million.”
Murty was the chairperson of Infosys Foundation until December 2021.