An Uncommon Love, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a very inspiring and intimate biography of the founders of India’s first greatest start-up, Infosys. The book navigates the personal and professional lives of the two entrepreneur-philanthropists giving us a glimpse of their everyday lives.
It is about the sacrifices it takes to forge a powerful and lasting marriage, and about the early story of Infosys and Indian business before liberalization. And most importantly, it is also about the two icons before they became the legends that transformed the fields of business and philanthropy.
The author begins narrating the story of 1970s when the young couple meet, navigating us through 1980s, the founding years of Infosys and extending all the way into late 1990s, which marked the beginning of the Infosys Foundation. She brilliantly takes us through various stages of their rapidly changing lives.
Banerjee touches upon the love, family bonds, dreams, aspirations and principles of the Murthys while talking about the volatile political times, trade and foreign policies.
“An Uncommon Love” is thus a simple story of a middle class couple whose dreams were bigger than life itself.
The book once again shows us the strength, endurance and patience of Sudha Murty. Demonstrating the fact that great heights can only be achieved through hard work, sacrifices and faith. Banerjee says Sudha ji represents the thousands of faceless women who stand by their husbands unwaveringly, giving it all, so that the men can achieve their dreams.
- But the book is certainly as much about the man, Narayan Murthy as it is about the lady. Banerjee has beautifully balanced the two dynamic characters without the need to overshadow the other.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone as there is love, romance, humour, honesty and a lesson for all. Every reader will surely find this book captivating and engaging!
©️✍️Sheetal Pradhan Deshpande
