'A proud day.' UK PM Rishi Sunak gushes over mother-in-law Sudha Murty's Padma Bhushan win as wife Akshata pens heartfelt note

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, expressed their happiness and pride as author and philanthropist Sudha Murty received Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India on Thursday.

Akshata, the First Lady at 10 Downing Street and Murty’s daughter, was present at the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and later took to social media to express her emotions towards her parents. Akshata’s father is Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

Murty’s son-in-law, Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister, Sunak replied to his wife's post and said it was "a proud day".


"Yesterday I watched with unspeakable pride as my mother received the Padma Bhushan from the President of India," Akshata wrote in a post on Instagram her 72-year-old mother was conferred the Padma Bhushan award on Thursday.

"On #IWD [International Women's Day] last month, I reflected on my mother's extraordinary journey, from STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to storytelling, but her charitable and volunteering efforts have served as her greatest inspiration to me," Akshata wrote

"Always asking if she can be doing more, she has given back to her community countless times: founding and running a series of philanthropic organisations for 25 years; funding numerous literacy initiatives; and jumping into action to aid those most in need – many in the most remote parts of India – after natural disasters have destroyed their lives," she added.

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Sunak’s wife and First Lady said her mother's example has helped put "volunteering, learning and listening" at the heart of how she hopes to live at 10 Downing Street.

"My mother doesn't live for recognition. The values my parents have instilled in my brother and me – hard work, humility, selflessness – mean she is always on to the next thing. But it was such a moving experience to see her have a moment of recognition yesterday," Murty’s daughter wrote.
Murty’s son, Rohan Murty, also praised his mother and called her a "positive force" in their lives in his post shared on social media.

In her acceptance speech at the ceremony attended by her family, Sudha Murty thanked the people of India for their unconditional support.

"I owe this award to the people of India. I hope my recognition today inspires the younger generation to take up social welfare as a vocation. It is needed for the continuous development of our great nation. I always feel that the generosity of a few gives hope for a million," she said.