‘He used to visit me quite regularly’: Akshata Murty recalls the touching childhood memory of father Narayana MurthyFor most children, the first memory of their father is one of coming home every evening after work.For Akshata Murty, it was different.The entrepreneur, philanthropist and wife of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently shared a deeply personal childhood memory, revealing that she first knew Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy as the man who would come to visit her rather than someone she lived with every day.Speaking on The Rosebud Podcast with Gyles Brandreth, Akshata looked back on her early years with surprising warmth and honesty.“My very first memory is of this man. He used to visit me quite regularly,” she recalled.She said she must have been around two or three years old at the time.“I remember him being really kind, really generous. He seemed quite sophisticated,” she said.It was only later, she explained, that she truly understood this special visitor was her father.
Growing up with her grandparents
Akshata spent much of her childhood in Hubli, Karnataka, where she and her younger brother were raised by their maternal grandparents while Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty worked tirelessly to build what would eventually become one of India’s most successful technology companies.Looking back, she remembers those years with nothing but affection.She described her childhood as “absolutely joyful.” Her grandfather worked as an obstetrician-gynaecologist, while her grandmother managed the home. Together, they created a warm, stable environment that became the foundation of her early life.While her parents were busy chasing a dream that would change India’s technology landscape, her grandparents made sure she never felt short of love.
The father who made her feel like a princess
Even though Narayana Murthy couldn’t always be physically present, Akshata says every visit felt incredibly special.One detail she remembers vividly is that her father always spoke to her in English. At home, she mainly spoke Kannada, her mother tongue, but he deliberately chose English during their conversations.“He enforced no rules. He made me the centre of his world. I felt like a princess, and I was always heartbroken when he left,” she said.It’s a memory many working parents may relate to. Sometimes time together is limited, but the quality of those moments leaves the biggest impression.
The values that shaped Narayana Murthy
The conversation also offered a glimpse into the values that shaped one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs.Akshata shared that her paternal grandfather encouraged his children to think beyond personal success and ask themselves how they could contribute to a newly independent India.“I think that really planted a seed inside my dad on how whatever he did later on in life had to benefit the nation in some way,” she said.It’s a philosophy many people believe eventually found its way into the creation of Infosys, a company that transformed India’s IT industry and created opportunities for thousands of professionals.
One memory she still carries today
Among all the memories she shared, one stood out for its simplicity.Akshata recalled lying next to her father during his afternoon naps as a little girl.“I still remember the crook of his arm, what he wore,” she said, becoming emotional as she spoke.It’s remarkable how childhood memories work. Years may pass, but sometimes it’s the smallest details that stay with us forever.Not grand celebrations.Not expensive gifts.Just the comfort of lying beside someone you love.
Their bond remains just as strong
Today, Akshata is nearly 46 years old, an entrepreneur in her own right and involved in several philanthropic initiatives.Yet when she talks about Narayana Murthy, there’s still a sense of admiration that sounds very much like a daughter speaking about her hero.“I’m 46 almost. He’s one of the most special people in my life,” she said.Her story is also a reminder that families often make difficult choices while building something bigger. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty spent years laying the foundation for a company that would become a global success, while their children grew up surrounded by grandparents who gave them love, stability and a sense of home.And despite the distance those early years created, the memories Akshata treasures most aren’t about business success or fame.They’re about a little girl waiting for her father to visit – and feeling like the most important person in the world every time he did.
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