- Friday, February 21, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
British prime minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday (6) reacted to his mother-in-law Sudha Murty receiving Padma Bhushan award, India’s third-highest civilian award, from president Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday (5) saying it was a “proud day”.
Sunak, Britain’s first prime minister of Asian origin, said the words in reaction to a post that his wife Akshata Murty made on Instagram to share her “unspeakable pride” about her educator, author and philanthropist mother’s feat. Murty was among the high-profile attendees at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president in New Delhi, where the prestigious Padma awards were conferred.
Prime minister Narendra Modi was also present and he was seen greeting the senior Murty besides other attendees as they went to the president to receive their awards.
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“Yesterday I watched with unspeakable pride as my mother received the Padma Bhushan award from the President of India in recognition of her contributions in social work,” Akshata Murty, who is an entrepreneur, wrote in her post besides posting a picture of her mother with her award citation.
She claimed that her mother has had a remarkable journey. She spoke on several ways her 71-year-old mother has supported the less fortunate, including setting up and managing charitable institutions for more than two decades; sponsoring various programmes to raise literacy and assuring prompt relief to those living in remote areas following natural disasters.
“Her example has put volunteering, learning and listening at the heart of how I hope to live in @10downingstreet,” she said.
She added, “My mother doesn’t live for recognition. The values my parents have instilled in my brother and me – hard work, humility, selflessness – mean she is always on to the next thing. But it was such a moving experience to see her have a moment of recognition yesterday.”
Sunak commented on the post saying “A proud day” and posted two clapping emojis.
Sudha Murty is married to NR Narayana Murthy, founder of IT giant Infosys. The latter was also present at the award-giving ceremony, besides their son Rohan Murty and Sudha’s sister Dr Sunanda Kulkarni.
