Pune: Author, and Rajya Sabha member Sudha Murty is set to be honored with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award by the Lokmanya Tilak Memorial Trust. The award ceremony will take place on August 1 in New Delhi, commemorating the 104th death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak.
Murty has made significant contributions to rural development, literature, and the social sector, aligning with Lokmanya Tilak's principles of self-reliance.
Dr. Rohit Tilak, trustee of the Lokmanya Tilak Memorial Trust, announced the award at a press conference. The ceremony will be held at Maharashtra Sadan, with notable guests including Sharad Pawar, Dr. Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, and Ramesh Chennithala. The award includes a commemorative plaque and a cash prize of one lakh rupees.
The event will also feature the release of a coffee table book, "Legendary Lokmanya," written by Dr. Pranati Rohit Tilak. The book highlights significant events in Lokmanya Tilak's life and includes rare photographs.
Since 1983, the Lokmanya Tilak National Award has honored individuals who have selflessly contributed to the nation. Past recipients include Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sudha Murty, co-founder of the Infosys Foundation, has been instrumental in promoting various developmental activities, particularly in rural areas. Her literary work in Marathi, Kannada, and English has raised social awareness.
Murty has established computer and library facilities in Karnataka government schools, founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University, and built around 10,000 toilets in rural Karnataka and Bangalore.
Born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, Karnataka, Sudha Murty began her career as the first female engineer at Telco. She has worked for Tata companies and was a professor at Christ College in Pune and a visiting professor at Bangalore University.
Murty has authored numerous novels and short story collections and received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.