Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy’s early struggles and experiences have been unveiled in Indian-American author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s book, “An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy.” The book shares anecdotes from Narayana Murthy’s formative years, including an incident when he was asked to sleep on a large box in a window-less storeroom surrounded by cartons by an American businessman. The book delves into the sacrifices that shaped the powerful and lasting marriage of Narayana and Sudha Murthy, offering insights into the early days of Infosys and the Indian business landscape before liberalization.
Published by Juggernaut Books, the book explores the lives, values, and challenges faced by the Murthys, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the iconic couple’s journey before they became well-known names in business and philanthropy.
In one incident, Narayana Murthy was subjected to harsh treatment by a temperamental American client, Donn Liles, who made him sleep in a storeroom despite having a four-bedroom house. The book reflects on Narayana Murthy’s tolerance of Liles’ behavior as he sought to groom his company, and how such incidents shaped his values.
“An Uncommon Love” also touches on Sudha Murthy’s proposal to join Infosys and Narayana Murthy’s firm stand against family dominance, fearing it would compromise the professional nature of the company. The book provides a holistic view of Narayana Murthy’s socialist leanings and the influences that shaped his ideologies during his teenage years.
The narrative offers readers a glimpse into the personal and professional lives of the Murthys, capturing the challenges and choices that contributed to their enduring partnership and the growth of Infosys.
