NARAYAN MURTHY-THE ROMANTIC

We told you previously how Narayan Murthy proposed to Sudha, here is the story after that...

Sudha Murthy reminisces:
When I went to Hubli I told my parents about Murthy and his proposal. My mother was positive, but my father asked: What's his job, his salary, his qualifications? Murthy was working as a research assistant and was earning less than me.
In those days, Murthy was always broke. He always owed me money. We went Dutch on our dates. At dinner he would often say, I don't have money, you pay my share, I will return it to you later. For three years I maintained a book on Murthy's debt to me. No, he never returned the money and I finally tore it up after my wedding. The amount was a little over Rs 4000.

My parents agreed to meet Murthy in Pune on a particular day at

10 a.m. Murthy did not turn up. At 12 noon Murthy turned up in a bright red shirt! Father was unimpressed. My father asked him what he wanted to become in life. Murthy said he wanted to be a politician in the communist party and wanted to open an orphanage.

My father gave his verdict. NO!

The stalemate continued for three years between my father and him, during which our courtship took us to every restaurant and cinema hall in Pune

Ironically, today, I have opened many orphanages something which Murthy wanted to do 25 years ago. In those days, Murthy was always broke, today he manages Infosys, one of the world's most reputed companies.

NARAYAN MURTHY-THE ROMANTIC

PART 1

Sudha Murthy reminisces:

It was in Pune that I met Narayan Murthy through my friend Prasanna who is now the Wipro chief, who was also training in Telco. Most of the books that Prasanna lent me had Murthy's name on them, which meant that I had a preconceived image of the man. Contrary to expectations, Murthy was shy, bespectacled and an introvert. When he invited us for dinner, I was a bit taken aback as I thought the young man was making a very fast move. I refused since I was the only girl in the group. But Murthy was relentless and we all decided to meet for dinner the next day at 7.30p.m. At Green Fields hotel on the Main Road, Pune.

The next day I went there at 7 o'clock since I had to go to the tailor near the hotel. And what do I see? Mr. Murthy waiting in front of the hotel and it was only seven. Till today, Murthy maintains that I had mentioned (consciously!) that I would be going to the tailor at 7 so that I could meet him... And I maintain that I did not say any such thing consciously or unconsciously because I did not think of Murthy as anything other than a friend at that stage. We have agreed to disagree on this matter. Soon, we became friends. Our conversations were filled with Murthy's experiences abroad and the books that he has read.

My friends insisted that Murthy was trying to impress me because he was interested in me. I kept denying it till one fine day, after dinner Murthy said I want to tell you something. I knew this was it. It was coming. He said, "I am 5'4" tall. I come from a lower middle class family. I can never become rich in my life and I can never give you any riches. You are beautiful, bright, and intelligent and you can get anyone you want. But will you marry me?" I asked Murthy to give me some time for an answer.

My father didn't want me to marry a man who did not have a steady job…

To be continued…

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