Sudha Murthy. The lady needs no introduction – Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, an esteemed author, philanthropist, social worker, chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, and the mother-in-law of the United Kingdom’s first Indian-origin prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Looking back, she shared a remarkable story in her recent appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show. Sudha Murthy recounted how a heartfelt letter to the legendary industrialist JRD Tata secured her a job and made her the first woman engineer to work at TELCO (now Tata Motors).
A Postcard That Ignited Change
In her early years as a student pursuing engineering, Sudha Murthy had a burning desire to break societal barriers and make her mark in the male-dominated field. She shared how she took the bold step of writing a letter to JRD Tata, the visionary leader of the Tata Group, expressing her aspirations and seeking an opportunity to work as an engineer.
“Men and women are equal, and women contribute 50% task force of India. If you don’t give women a chance, then you are cutting the 50% workforce of India, and therefore, our country will not progress,” she wrote in the letter.
To Sudha Murthy’s surprise and delight, she received a prompt response from JRD Tata, inviting her for an interview at TELCO in Pune.
This unexpected acknowledgment and invitation spoke volumes about JRD Tata’s forward-thinking mindset and commitment to empowering women in the workforce.
The Path to TELCO
Sudha Murthy recounted her journey to TELCO, a pivotal moment in her life. Navigating the challenges and societal biases women faced in the engineering industry, she arrived at TELCO with anticipation and determination.
During the interview process, Sudha Murthy’s skills, passion, and potential were recognized by the interview panel. Impressed by her qualifications and accomplishments, she was offered the first woman engineer position at TELCO.
However, she recalls asking them why they are so apprehensive about hiring women in their plant.
To kill her curiosity, they replied that TELCO has two plants in India, one in Jamshedpur and another in Pune, and in both, men work in shifts, making it difficult for women to work on the floor alone. So they encourage them to join the R&D department.
But the interviewers were taken by Mrs. Muthy’s reply when she said, “Women are coming up. You can’t keep them from the workforce no matter what.”
When Sudha Murthy was offered the job, she didn’t take it immediately as she was going to the U.S. for her Ph.D. But when her father made her realize that one must always walk the talk; otherwise, they better not talk, Sudha Murthy took up the job.
Both triumphs and obstacles marked Sudha Murthy’s time at TELCO.
She demonstrated her talent and dedication, earning the respect of her colleagues and superiors. However, she also encountered skepticism and prejudice due to her gender. Undeterred, Sudha Murthy tackled these challenges head-on, proving her worth through her exceptional work and unwavering commitment.
JRD Tata’s Visionary Leadership
Throughout her conversation on The Kapil Sharma Show, Sudha Murthy emphasized JRD Tata’s significant role in her journey. She commended his visionary leadership and unwavering belief in meritocracy, regardless of gender.
JRD Tata’s decision to hire Sudha Murthy as the first woman engineer at TELCO sent a powerful message to the industry and society. It shattered stereotypes and paved the way for countless women engineers to follow in her footsteps, creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
Sudha Murthy’s appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show shed light on the importance of breaking barriers, challenging societal norms, and embracing diversity in pursuing excellence.