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GENDER BIAS
- Sudha Murthy
Ql) Sudha Murthy was planning to complete a doctorate abroad bui changed her
mind. Why?
A: Sudha Murthy was in the final year of her M. Tech in 1974. At that time she was the
only girl in her department at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Like other
bright students, she planned to go abroad to do a PhD.
One day, however, she came across an advertisement for a job in Telco. Candidates
were required to have an excellent academic record. But it was clearly stated that
ladies were not eligible to apply. Sudha Murthy was shocked at this open display of
gender discrimination; she decided to protest against this injustice. She applied for
the job and also wrote a postcard to JRD Tata.

Q2) Sudha Murthy was extremely determined and resolute. Justify this statement.
A: Sudha Murthy was a lady of great courage and determination. She was the only girl
in her class when she was doing her Masters degree in 1974 at the IISC, Bangalore.
One day she came across an advertisement for a job in Telco. It was clearly slated
that ladies were not eligible to apply, Sudha Murthy decided to protest against this
injustice; she applied for the job. She also wrote a postcard to JRD Tata. To her
surprise she was called for the interview. There she boldly expressed her views. She
stressed that a start should be made to hire women. She was able to convince the
panel and was hired. Sudha Murthys boldness and initiative paved the way for the
acceptance of women in various fields.

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Q3) Why was Sudha Murthy not nervous at the interview? Explain.
A: Sudha Murthy saw an advertisement for a job in Telco. She was shocked to note
that lady candidates were not eligible to apply. She decided to protest against the
open display of gender bias. She wrote a letter to JRD Tata. She was surprised when
she was called for the interview at Pune. She decided to attend the interview but
was sure that she would not be selected. So she was not nervous. She spoke frankly
and fearlessly. She pointed out the unfairness of the company policy. She talked
about the need to give women a chance to prove their worth. Later she was
surprised to know that she had been selected for the job.

Q4) Do you think JRD Tata was happy to be introduced to Sudha Murthy? Justify.
A: JRD Tata was one of the pioneers of Indian industry. He was the chairman of Telco.
In 1974 Sudha Murthy was completing her Masters degree. She saw an
advertisement for a job in Telco. She was shocked to note that ladies were not
eligible to apply. She decided to protest against the open display of gender bias. She
wrote a letter to JRD Tata. She was called for an interview and hired.
Much later, Sudha Murthy was introduced to JRD. JRD was informed that Sudha
Murthy was a brilliant postgraduate and the first lady to work on the Telco shop
floor: JRD expressed happiness that women were choosing engineering courses. He
probably remembered her letter. He must, have been happy that the company policy
had been changed.

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Important Annotations
1. Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge.
Introduction: This line is taken from the essay, Gender Bias written by Sudha
Murthy.
Context: In this essay Sudha Murthy narrates how she initially faced gender
discrimination but later succeeded in getting a job in Telco.
Explanation: Sudha Murthy was in the final year of her M. Tech in 1974. One day
she came across an advertisement for a job in Telco. Candidates were required to
have an excellent academic record. But it was clearly stated that ladies were not
eligible to apply. Sudha Murthy was shocked at this open display of gender
discrimination.
Comment: She was not particularly interested in the job. But she decided to protest
against the unjust policy of the company. So she applied for the job. She also wrote
a postcard to JRD Tata, expressing her dismay.

2. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of

gender.
Introduction: This line is taken from the essay, Gender Bias written by Sudha
Murthy.
Context: In this essay Sudha Murthy narrates how she initially faced gender
discrimination but later succeeded in getting a job in Telco.
Explanation: While completing M.Tech in 1974, Sudha Murthy came across an
advertisement for a job in Telco. It was clearly stated that ladies were not eligible to
apply. Sudha Murthy was shocked at this open display of gender discrimination. As
a mark of protest she wrote a letter to JRD Tata, the head of the Tata group of
companies. In her letter she expressed dismay. The Tatas, she wrote, were the

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pioneers of Indian industry. They had also established reputed institutions of higher
education, such as the IISC, Bangalore.
Comment: It was surprising that such a respected company was displaying gender
bias by not hiring women.

3. But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman mil ever be able to work in
your factories.
Introduction: These lines are taken from the essay, Gender Bias written by Sudha
Murthy.
Context: In this essay Sudha Murthy narrates how she initially faced gender
discrimination but later succeeded in getting a job in Telco
Explanation: Sudha Murthy applied for a job in Telco though the advertisement
clearly stated that ladies were not eligible to apply. She was surprised to be called
for an interview at Pune. The gentlemen in the interview panel told her politely that
it would be difficult for women to work OR the shop floor. Therefore, as a policy,
the company did not hire women. .Sudha Murthy then told them that times were
changing.
Comment: Women must be given, a chance to prove their worth as they were as
capable as men.

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