The UK’s First Lady, Akshata, commemorates women role models and praises her mother, Sudha Murty’s enduring legacy
Britain’s First Lady, Akshata Murty, honored her mother, Sudha Murty, as a remarkable role model for women during a special International Women’s Day event held at Downing Street. Akshata, 43, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, spearheaded a mentoring session with influential female figures and business leaders aimed at empowering girls and young women.
This initiative was part of a program designed to provide children from across the UK with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the workings of No. 10 Downing Street. “I’m delighted to commemorate International Women’s Day by celebrating women in business. Hosting a dedicated mentoring session with female role models and business leaders for girls and young women at Downing Street is truly fantastic,” expressed Murty, as stated in a Downing Street release.
Reflecting on her mother’s achievements, Akshata emphasized Sudha Murty’s groundbreaking work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which enabled her to excel both academically and professionally, positioning her at the forefront of the technological revolution. Sudha Murty, an acclaimed author and philanthropist, commenced her career in computer science and made history by becoming the first female engineer employed at TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO). Recently nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha for her outstanding contributions to social work and education, Sudha Murty’s appointment to the Upper House of Parliament coincided with the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Renowned for her contributions to Kannada and English literature, Sudha Murty has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar, Padma Shri (2006), and Padma Bhushan (2023). Notably, she provided the seed capital of Rs 10,000 from her emergency funds to her husband N R Narayana Murthy to establish Infosys, a company that boasts a market capitalization exceeding USD 80 billion.
Expressing her aspirations for women and girls to be inspired by the role models surrounding them, Akshata Murty, who until recently served as director of Catamaran Ventures UK, an early-stage investment firm focusing on British brands, highlighted her commitment to promoting education and learning through initiatives like “Lessons at 10.” Launched upon Rishi Sunak’s assumption of leadership of the Conservative Party in October 2022, this endeavor aims to instill a love for learning and inspire children across the UK with the involvement of special guests, industry experts, and charitable organizations.
International Women’s Day was commemorated in collaboration with the Girls’ Network, a charity that partners with secondary schools and colleges across England to provide girls aged 14-19 with year-long mentoring programs to nurture their aspirations. Katie Thiselton, Co-Executive Director of the Girls’ Network, expressed optimism that by being invited to No. 10 Downing Street, girls would recognize such spaces as inclusive and empowering, fostering inspiration and motivation in their personal journeys.
Subsequently, the Sunaks hosted a reception at Downing Street to honor inspirational female leaders from various industries, including business, civil society, and the National Health Service (NHS). Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to effecting long-term change for the advancement of women and girls, citing significant investments aimed at ensuring women’s safety, enhancing educational standards for girls, and promoting STEM careers. Additionally, he highlighted initiatives such as the largest-ever childcare expansion in England’s history and the launch of the Women’s Health Strategy and Pharmacy First, designed to facilitate quicker access to healthcare for women.
