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Wise and Otherwise
Sudha Murthy has wandered in many remote and economically backward places in India. She has walked over to depths at these places, she has travelled by the public transport. She has tried her level best to take the medical facilities to the doorsteps of these neglected and negligent people. Her work has given her the opportunity to mix with many noble people from the various sectors of society. She has met the beggar`s family from Mumbai who went to settle down in Gujarat where the earthquake had left everyone in chaos. She has met the mother of a girl who was killed for the dowry. She has come across the unknown donor who has donated a huge amount by cheque. Sudha Murti`s life is matured today with the meetings with such various people with their unique thoughts, philosophies and feelings. She has presented her experiences as a professor and as a social worker. This book has a very simple and homely language that of any common person, yet it presents the perfect picture of Sudha Murti`s work and philosophy in detail.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
1477 people are currently reading
17359 people want to read
About the author
Sudha Murty
179 books2,979 followersSudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon in north Karnataka. She did her MTech in computer science, and is now the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. A prolific writer in English and Kannada, she has written nine novels, four technical books, three travelogues, one collection of short stories, three collections of non-fiction pieces and two books for children.
Her books have been translated into all the major Indian languages and have sold over three lakh copies around the country. She was the recipient of the R.K. Narayan's Award for Literature and the Padma Shri in 2006.
Her books have been translated into all the major Indian languages and have sold over three lakh copies around the country. She was the recipient of the R.K. Narayan's Award for Literature and the Padma Shri in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 913 reviews
May 4, 2013
Wise and Otherwise: A Salute to Life is a collection of fifty one short stories baed on the real life experiences of Mrs Sudha Murthy. As the Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she has come across many types of people in her office as well as while travelling during the course of her work. Each story covers a facet of human nature and has something to tell. Her dedication states “For the ‘shirtless people of India’ who have taught me so much about my country”.
Her stories cover the length and breadth of India and she has stories about various types of characters like the honest college student, who despite being poor returned the unspent money that he received for his hostel accommodation. There is a story about a man who lies while trying to impress her and another one about an old man in the Sahyadri forest who tells her, “There is a grace in accepting also”. The story about the young nurse who followed her teacher’s words and about an old man in Kalahandi district of Orissa who does not know that India is now a free country but says, “This little paper (Indian currency) can turn our lives upside down”. She mentions about two teenagers she had met on the flight from Delhi to Bangalore who did not know our history (we should blame ourselves for it), about her friend who takes life in a positive way after she sees a beggar dancing in the rain and there is this story about a man who lies that he knows her in order to sell books to the Foundation.
In one story, she mentions about a salesgirl she meets in a train, who first gives her a headache and then sells her the balm. In another, she talks about a mother who is praying that her stove burst victim daughter dies. She talks about her friend who succeeds in life because she is a realist. About a poor, old lady who shows her gratitude to Mrs Murthy for giving them a hospital by giving a string of jasmine. There is story in which she talks about a man who leaves his own father in an old age home claiming that the he is a homeless man who needs help and comes to claim the money when he dies.
She brought tears to my eyes when she talked about Zubeida, who tells her brother to return the unspent money allotted for her cancer treatment. She has written about a boy who marries a girl suffering from leucoderma after reading her book, Mahashweta. In another story, she has mentioned about insensitive people who can spend on their housewarming but not for the victims of Gujarat earthquake.
She talks about her teacher who said that, “the greatest joy to a teacher is to produce students better than him”. About an uneducated lady who sees the positive side of life and stays happy, and there is another one in which a shopkeeper adjusting the price of his wares as per the financial status of the customer. She also mentions about a lady who asks her who her ghost writer is. She talks about the facilities for women in Stockholm, about Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize and about the plight of unwed mothers in India and abroad.
She writes about the misuse of the telephone by the kids, about the biased nature of a lady when it concerns her daughter and daughter in law, about how people took advantage of an earthquake to set up house, about how a poor fisher boy contributes whatever he can for his family. She talks about how money can change the relationship between a husband and wife and about the different ways in which people look at life. In the last story she has mentioned about how different people express their gratitude; some say thank you and some do not even acknowledge you.
I liked the book very much. It is an eye-opener.
Her stories cover the length and breadth of India and she has stories about various types of characters like the honest college student, who despite being poor returned the unspent money that he received for his hostel accommodation. There is a story about a man who lies while trying to impress her and another one about an old man in the Sahyadri forest who tells her, “There is a grace in accepting also”. The story about the young nurse who followed her teacher’s words and about an old man in Kalahandi district of Orissa who does not know that India is now a free country but says, “This little paper (Indian currency) can turn our lives upside down”. She mentions about two teenagers she had met on the flight from Delhi to Bangalore who did not know our history (we should blame ourselves for it), about her friend who takes life in a positive way after she sees a beggar dancing in the rain and there is this story about a man who lies that he knows her in order to sell books to the Foundation.
In one story, she mentions about a salesgirl she meets in a train, who first gives her a headache and then sells her the balm. In another, she talks about a mother who is praying that her stove burst victim daughter dies. She talks about her friend who succeeds in life because she is a realist. About a poor, old lady who shows her gratitude to Mrs Murthy for giving them a hospital by giving a string of jasmine. There is story in which she talks about a man who leaves his own father in an old age home claiming that the he is a homeless man who needs help and comes to claim the money when he dies.
She brought tears to my eyes when she talked about Zubeida, who tells her brother to return the unspent money allotted for her cancer treatment. She has written about a boy who marries a girl suffering from leucoderma after reading her book, Mahashweta. In another story, she has mentioned about insensitive people who can spend on their housewarming but not for the victims of Gujarat earthquake.
She talks about her teacher who said that, “the greatest joy to a teacher is to produce students better than him”. About an uneducated lady who sees the positive side of life and stays happy, and there is another one in which a shopkeeper adjusting the price of his wares as per the financial status of the customer. She also mentions about a lady who asks her who her ghost writer is. She talks about the facilities for women in Stockholm, about Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize and about the plight of unwed mothers in India and abroad.
She writes about the misuse of the telephone by the kids, about the biased nature of a lady when it concerns her daughter and daughter in law, about how people took advantage of an earthquake to set up house, about how a poor fisher boy contributes whatever he can for his family. She talks about how money can change the relationship between a husband and wife and about the different ways in which people look at life. In the last story she has mentioned about how different people express their gratitude; some say thank you and some do not even acknowledge you.
I liked the book very much. It is an eye-opener.
March 10, 2015
Book lovers and regular readers should never waste their time or money on this book. The rating for this book is deceptive. Like another reviewer has said I completely agree this book has only got published because Sudha Murthy is Narayan Murthy's wife. The stories are poorly constructed and the author is full of herself, its shocking to see such work getting published.
Read
January 12, 20131) Honesty is not the mark of any particular class nor is it related to education or wealth.
It springs naturally from the heart.
2) Why do people lie about their achievements? Is it when what they have actually achieved is not good enough for them or for the people around you?
3) Give when you take. Do not take without giving.
4) There is a grace in accepting also.
5) Truth about women- India stands second last on the list of countries according to how emancipated their women were. The scandinavian countries topped the list.
6) Alfred Nobel was a great achiever,whatever he did, he did it well.
7) Jean-Paul Sartre was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature and refused it, saying that he always declined official honors and that "a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution." And now a days anyone would pay a large amount to have an honour given to them.
8) TISCO Chairman, J.J.Irani- "Vision without action is merely a dream, action without vision is merely passing time, but vision and action together can change the world.
It springs naturally from the heart.
2) Why do people lie about their achievements? Is it when what they have actually achieved is not good enough for them or for the people around you?
3) Give when you take. Do not take without giving.
4) There is a grace in accepting also.
5) Truth about women- India stands second last on the list of countries according to how emancipated their women were. The scandinavian countries topped the list.
6) Alfred Nobel was a great achiever,whatever he did, he did it well.
7) Jean-Paul Sartre was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature and refused it, saying that he always declined official honors and that "a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution." And now a days anyone would pay a large amount to have an honour given to them.
8) TISCO Chairman, J.J.Irani- "Vision without action is merely a dream, action without vision is merely passing time, but vision and action together can change the world.
May 4, 2014
I loved this book. Sudha Murthy has used such simple narrative for all the 50 stories. Her work is truly 'a salute to life'. Every incident in the book left me either poignant, or ashamed or angry at the current state of people's mind. I would recommend everyone to read this. A very light read but filled with meaning.
January 14, 2017
if u are interested in listening to a woman crib and whine about how pathetic and disgusting this society and county is with a 'i am always right complex' in the tone of a panchatatra novel for 5 year olds with a moral at the end...this book is for you. otherwise i just suggest you move on and pick from a million other better authors...
January 7, 2025
Wise and Not So Wise
A review of the Penguin India paperback 2nd edition (2006) of the original paperback (2002).
My friend Tony was recently in India to visit relatives and brought back a few books for me. One of which was this book by Sudha Murty. Wise and Otherwise is a collection of articles originally written for the Indian newspaper New Sunday Express. Many of them relate to her travels and encounters during the early years of managing the InfoSys Foundation (1996-), the charitable arm of the tech company InfoSys which she and her husband co-founded. You can read that biographical background at the article linked below.
On mobile devices see at https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-...
Sudha Murty on the announcement of her retirement from the InfoSys Charitable Foundation in December 2021. Image sourced from the Times of India.
The articles often provide a contrast between the humility and honesty of some people vs. the arrogance and greed of others. The charitable foundation funded such things as libraries, books and schooling for poorer rural people who may otherwise not have had access to higher education. Murty would often travel to remote locations by bus or car in order to meet with applicants or recipients of funding.
At the same time, the foundation would often receive requests for funding from obviously rich people who felt they should have their greed absolved, with the foundation asked to pay off their gambling debts and such. There are shocking stories as well such as a man bringing his own father into the foundation office and pretending the older man was a homeless beggar who needed hospitalization and an elderly care home. There are also rather horrific stories of the abuse of wives by husbands and mothers-in-law, especially the murderous tales of bride burning and dowry death.
Many of these short 3-5 page vignettes end with a moral or a platitude which on the surface is well known. But the background to both the highs and lows of Indian culture is a revelation regardless, as you will hear about people being both "wise" and "otherwise."
Trivia and Links
Read about Sudha Murty at the Entrepreneur Middle East article A Life Well Lived: Sudha Murty, Founder and Chairperson, Infosys Foundation.
There were many words or expressions in this book that were new to me and I looked them up via sources such as Google Translate and Wikipedia. Many of those results are copy/pasted below for the curious. If I found the specific Indian language identified I wrote that in italics.
Glossary
Acharya devo bhava = Sanskrit [a saying] The guru or the teacher is akin to God.
Aardhanareeshwara = Sanskrit The half man / half woman form of the god Shiva combined with the consort Parvati, see also Wikipedia.
Bahut kuch hota hai = Hindi A lot happens.
Basti = A slum inhabited by poor people.
Beti, Ammi ne bola than na? Inko salaam karo. Ammi ka salaam. = Fulani [a dialogue] Daughter, is Ammi more than a ball? Greet her. Greetings to Ammi.
Bisleri = An Indian bottled water company.
Chaniya cholis = A type of Indian dress with a skirt and a blouse, see also Wikipedia.
Dana = In the context of Indian culture, "dāna" (pronounced "daan") is a Sanskrit word that means "charity" or "gift." It refers to the act of giving, particularly in a selfless manner, to those in need. In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, dāna is considered a noble deed and an important part of one's spiritual practice. It's about promoting generosity, compassion, and the well-being of others.
Diwali = The Hindu festival of lights, see also Wikipedia.
Dussera = Sanskrit The Hindu festival of the victory of good over evil, see also Dussehra.
Ethra naryasthu pujyanthe, ramanthethahtra devatha = Sanskrit [a saying] God exists where women are respected.
Gharwali = Hindi a commercial sex worker.
Ghazal = A rhyming poem or song, of Arabic origin according to Wikipedia.
Goriwali Rani = The fair queen of England i.e. either Victoria or Elizabeth II is meant here.
Gurukula = Sanskrit, a type of education in Ancient India where students lived with their teacher. See also Wikipedia.
Hishob kavadi ma bakshees laakhma = Gujarati [saying] The reward for the poet is in lakhs.
Kumkum bharani = A box, usually silver, used to store kumkum powder, the powder made from turmeric which is dyed and used for social or religious markings in India, see also at Wikipedia.
Lakh = Is an Indian measurement unit equal to 100,000.
Four Lakhs or 400,000 is written as 4,00,000 in Indian measurements.
Mahashweta = A 2007 novel by Sudha Murty about the skin condition known as Leukoderma, see at Goodreads.
Padmashree = A girl name meaning Divine Lotus. NOTE: This does not seem to be the meaning used in the book where it says "a social worker received the Padmashree," which makes it sound like an award or honour.
Panchatantra = Sanskrit A collection of Indian animal fable stories.
Puja = A puja is a ritualistic worship practiced widely in India. It involves making offerings to deities or divine figures, such as flowers, food, water, incense, and prayers, as a way to show reverence and seek blessings.
Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi = A leader in the 1857 Indian rebellion against the British Empire, see further at Wikipedia. Died from being mortally wounded in combat, lived 1828 to 1858.
Sanyasi = Sanskrit one who guides followers on the right path.
Shalwar kameez = A traditional Indian combination outfit of a long shirt and trousers. See also at Wikipedia.
Shishyad ichchet parajayam = Marathi [saying] The student is a hero.
Sri Suttur Math = A spiritual movement, see further at JSSMission.
Thanda = A tribal village.
Thandappa = Malayalam A tribal village elder.
Woh kagaz ki kashti woh baarish ka paani... = Hindi [song lyrics] That paper boat, that rain water…
A review of the Penguin India paperback 2nd edition (2006) of the original paperback (2002).
My friend Tony was recently in India to visit relatives and brought back a few books for me. One of which was this book by Sudha Murty. Wise and Otherwise is a collection of articles originally written for the Indian newspaper New Sunday Express. Many of them relate to her travels and encounters during the early years of managing the InfoSys Foundation (1996-), the charitable arm of the tech company InfoSys which she and her husband co-founded. You can read that biographical background at the article linked below.
On mobile devices see at https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-...
Sudha Murty on the announcement of her retirement from the InfoSys Charitable Foundation in December 2021. Image sourced from the Times of India.
The articles often provide a contrast between the humility and honesty of some people vs. the arrogance and greed of others. The charitable foundation funded such things as libraries, books and schooling for poorer rural people who may otherwise not have had access to higher education. Murty would often travel to remote locations by bus or car in order to meet with applicants or recipients of funding.
At the same time, the foundation would often receive requests for funding from obviously rich people who felt they should have their greed absolved, with the foundation asked to pay off their gambling debts and such. There are shocking stories as well such as a man bringing his own father into the foundation office and pretending the older man was a homeless beggar who needed hospitalization and an elderly care home. There are also rather horrific stories of the abuse of wives by husbands and mothers-in-law, especially the murderous tales of bride burning and dowry death.
Many of these short 3-5 page vignettes end with a moral or a platitude which on the surface is well known. But the background to both the highs and lows of Indian culture is a revelation regardless, as you will hear about people being both "wise" and "otherwise."
Trivia and Links
Read about Sudha Murty at the Entrepreneur Middle East article A Life Well Lived: Sudha Murty, Founder and Chairperson, Infosys Foundation.
There were many words or expressions in this book that were new to me and I looked them up via sources such as Google Translate and Wikipedia. Many of those results are copy/pasted below for the curious. If I found the specific Indian language identified I wrote that in italics.
Glossary
Acharya devo bhava = Sanskrit [a saying] The guru or the teacher is akin to God.
Aardhanareeshwara = Sanskrit The half man / half woman form of the god Shiva combined with the consort Parvati, see also Wikipedia.
Bahut kuch hota hai = Hindi A lot happens.
Basti = A slum inhabited by poor people.
Beti, Ammi ne bola than na? Inko salaam karo. Ammi ka salaam. = Fulani [a dialogue] Daughter, is Ammi more than a ball? Greet her. Greetings to Ammi.
Bisleri = An Indian bottled water company.
Chaniya cholis = A type of Indian dress with a skirt and a blouse, see also Wikipedia.
Dana = In the context of Indian culture, "dāna" (pronounced "daan") is a Sanskrit word that means "charity" or "gift." It refers to the act of giving, particularly in a selfless manner, to those in need. In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, dāna is considered a noble deed and an important part of one's spiritual practice. It's about promoting generosity, compassion, and the well-being of others.
Diwali = The Hindu festival of lights, see also Wikipedia.
Dussera = Sanskrit The Hindu festival of the victory of good over evil, see also Dussehra.
Ethra naryasthu pujyanthe, ramanthethahtra devatha = Sanskrit [a saying] God exists where women are respected.
Gharwali = Hindi a commercial sex worker.
Ghazal = A rhyming poem or song, of Arabic origin according to Wikipedia.
Goriwali Rani = The fair queen of England i.e. either Victoria or Elizabeth II is meant here.
Gurukula = Sanskrit, a type of education in Ancient India where students lived with their teacher. See also Wikipedia.
Hishob kavadi ma bakshees laakhma = Gujarati [saying] The reward for the poet is in lakhs.
Kumkum bharani = A box, usually silver, used to store kumkum powder, the powder made from turmeric which is dyed and used for social or religious markings in India, see also at Wikipedia.
Lakh = Is an Indian measurement unit equal to 100,000.
Four Lakhs or 400,000 is written as 4,00,000 in Indian measurements.
Mahashweta = A 2007 novel by Sudha Murty about the skin condition known as Leukoderma, see at Goodreads.
Padmashree = A girl name meaning Divine Lotus. NOTE: This does not seem to be the meaning used in the book where it says "a social worker received the Padmashree," which makes it sound like an award or honour.
Panchatantra = Sanskrit A collection of Indian animal fable stories.
Puja = A puja is a ritualistic worship practiced widely in India. It involves making offerings to deities or divine figures, such as flowers, food, water, incense, and prayers, as a way to show reverence and seek blessings.
Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi = A leader in the 1857 Indian rebellion against the British Empire, see further at Wikipedia. Died from being mortally wounded in combat, lived 1828 to 1858.
Sanyasi = Sanskrit one who guides followers on the right path.
Shalwar kameez = A traditional Indian combination outfit of a long shirt and trousers. See also at Wikipedia.
Shishyad ichchet parajayam = Marathi [saying] The student is a hero.
Sri Suttur Math = A spiritual movement, see further at JSSMission.
Thanda = A tribal village.
Thandappa = Malayalam A tribal village elder.
Woh kagaz ki kashti woh baarish ka paani... = Hindi [song lyrics] That paper boat, that rain water…
May 8, 2014
I loved the book. The short narratives are so simple and easy to appreciate. It leaves you feeling warm and somehow more `human' inside.
March 17, 2015
A good montage of stories but the number of "Infosys Foundation" references only goes to further strengthen what I've been hearing about this foundation off late, i.e. We help where our help is recognized in the form of media or print publications. Maybe that is why I lost interest halfway through this collection.
December 9, 2020
It’s always heartwarming reading Sudha Murthy’s books.🤗
August 21, 2020
In Sudha Murthy's most celebrated work of non fiction , fifty vignettes showcase the myriad shades of human nature.
A man dumps his ages father in an old age home after declaring him to be a homeless stranger,
A tribal chief in the Sahyadri hills teaches the author that there is humility in receiving too,
And a sick woman remembers to thank here benefactor even from her deathbed.
These are just some of the poignant and eye opening stories about people from all over the country that Sudha Murthy recounts .
From incredible examples of generosity to the meanest acts one can expect from men and women ,
She records everything with wry humour and a directness
That touches the heart.
.
What I think about this book ?? 🌸
.
I have read two books of Sudha Murthy untill now ,
What I felt that she writes in so simple manner that anyone can read her books easily , all her words are beaded in a flow.
She is a keen observer and everything what she has written is the reflection of those people who have came across in her life.
We get to meet all kinds of people in our life , and face all the types of experiences which sometimes make us believe that humanity is on the verge of death in our world and at the same time our thinking take a turn when get to encounter a real humanly feel.
And Amid all that , I should never stop dreaming, never stop living.
Gratitude towards this life is very important.
After reading Sudha Murthy , one can feel the importance of relationships , human interactions and relationships in this fast changing tech savvy world.
Good deeds always pays off no matter what we should never stop doing good.
And moreover by reading all the modern day books,
I have felt that it become difficult to choose and introduce the kind of books to the children and this book came as a saviour , she writes for everyone.
Anyone can read her books, and it always have something for everyone. 🌸 To learn and to live.
The never-ending spirit towards life.🌸
.
Rating - 4/5
A man dumps his ages father in an old age home after declaring him to be a homeless stranger,
A tribal chief in the Sahyadri hills teaches the author that there is humility in receiving too,
And a sick woman remembers to thank here benefactor even from her deathbed.
These are just some of the poignant and eye opening stories about people from all over the country that Sudha Murthy recounts .
From incredible examples of generosity to the meanest acts one can expect from men and women ,
She records everything with wry humour and a directness
That touches the heart.
.
What I think about this book ?? 🌸
.
I have read two books of Sudha Murthy untill now ,
What I felt that she writes in so simple manner that anyone can read her books easily , all her words are beaded in a flow.
She is a keen observer and everything what she has written is the reflection of those people who have came across in her life.
We get to meet all kinds of people in our life , and face all the types of experiences which sometimes make us believe that humanity is on the verge of death in our world and at the same time our thinking take a turn when get to encounter a real humanly feel.
And Amid all that , I should never stop dreaming, never stop living.
Gratitude towards this life is very important.
After reading Sudha Murthy , one can feel the importance of relationships , human interactions and relationships in this fast changing tech savvy world.
Good deeds always pays off no matter what we should never stop doing good.
And moreover by reading all the modern day books,
I have felt that it become difficult to choose and introduce the kind of books to the children and this book came as a saviour , she writes for everyone.
Anyone can read her books, and it always have something for everyone. 🌸 To learn and to live.
The never-ending spirit towards life.🌸
.
Rating - 4/5
March 4, 2021
Sudha Murty's story telling is one of a kind- simple language, even simpler story and simplest of it all is the way she chooses to convey her message, leaving it to the reader to infer what they can.
"Wise and Otherwise" is a collection of 50 short stories giving examples of simple people and their actions which she leaves it to us to judge as wise or otherwise. Every story catches up on one specific detail we as society either aspire too much for or neglect,alienate and choose to not associate with- be it human relations, the way we talk to strangers, the way we judge and exclude people, prioritise materialistic aspirations and so on.
On a concluding note, the line etched with me is from the short story-Price of Jealousy where she writes "The best Culture is one in which we rejoice each other's success" . Her writing will always remind me of my roots and why I am proud of where I come from.
"Wise and Otherwise" is a collection of 50 short stories giving examples of simple people and their actions which she leaves it to us to judge as wise or otherwise. Every story catches up on one specific detail we as society either aspire too much for or neglect,alienate and choose to not associate with- be it human relations, the way we talk to strangers, the way we judge and exclude people, prioritise materialistic aspirations and so on.
On a concluding note, the line etched with me is from the short story-Price of Jealousy where she writes "The best Culture is one in which we rejoice each other's success" . Her writing will always remind me of my roots and why I am proud of where I come from.
April 15, 2013
Hats off to Mrs. Sudha Murthy for her philanthropic deeds. It requires special mention even before reviewing the book!
Frankly speaking the book was a change from the stereotype books of fiction and its ante! Gracefully written, the book is about Mrs. Murthy's experiences while doing her work as a social worker. Most of the stories are reflective, and many contain comparative studies. Both are excellent.
Though written by a female author and containing details of outlook according to a feminine mindset (example: color of saree, bangles! even girly gossip at places), the book contains "it" to engross even the macho-est of men! Witty, truthful and vibrant.
A 5 out of 5 for perfect content for a book in the "lifestyle" shelf.
Frankly speaking the book was a change from the stereotype books of fiction and its ante! Gracefully written, the book is about Mrs. Murthy's experiences while doing her work as a social worker. Most of the stories are reflective, and many contain comparative studies. Both are excellent.
Though written by a female author and containing details of outlook according to a feminine mindset (example: color of saree, bangles! even girly gossip at places), the book contains "it" to engross even the macho-est of men! Witty, truthful and vibrant.
A 5 out of 5 for perfect content for a book in the "lifestyle" shelf.
February 20, 2014
The book is a wake up call for our moral senses. She portrays the lives of the poorest of poor people of India, human attitudes and character and makes us realise how blessed we are. I now know the true meaning of the word 'philanthropist'. I'm proud of Mrs. Murty for achieving heights and also for being a true human. One is sure to turn kind to people who are less fortunate than us after reading this book. It was also a chance to know the "real" India.
September 4, 2013
I read this book when I was going through yet another mental crisis. And needless to say, so many knots in my head opened up so quickly once I finished it. The sheer passion with which Sudha Murty has composed each story is remarkable. Moreover, she does not want to show herself as a saint or yet another achiever out to help people. She talks to you, me and so many of us - to never stop introspecting and interacting with life. The stories in this book could be anyone's, for that matter. But reading them made me realise a lot, and feel humbler. At the risk of sounding cliched, I'm truly grateful to the author for that.
March 12, 2021
Wise and otherwise is an eye opening book about various people around us. Sudha Murty has depicted various experiences of a variety of people who came across her.
She has described the examples of generosity to the meanest acts one can expect. The directness in her language touches the heart and helps in better understanding.
The entire book helps us understand how people live their and how two people act differently in the same situation.
'Death without grief' is one of the short story I liked the most form the book. 'Wise and otherwise' encouraged me to look at the world with new eyes.
She has described the examples of generosity to the meanest acts one can expect. The directness in her language touches the heart and helps in better understanding.
The entire book helps us understand how people live their and how two people act differently in the same situation.
'Death without grief' is one of the short story I liked the most form the book. 'Wise and otherwise' encouraged me to look at the world with new eyes.
July 13, 2014
Firstly this book is a much needed break from the Chasings, Murders, Mysteries, and Crime and others.
I picked this book thinking what might it reveal and in the end I was awed that I chose this one to read. Kudos to the author for giving such a script to the readers. The most I liked about is the elegance and simpleness in writing. A book of 50 odd short stories of real life experiences of the author which has enough power to tease one's heart and at least one fable will have close resemblance to our own character. A must read one to all
I picked this book thinking what might it reveal and in the end I was awed that I chose this one to read. Kudos to the author for giving such a script to the readers. The most I liked about is the elegance and simpleness in writing. A book of 50 odd short stories of real life experiences of the author which has enough power to tease one's heart and at least one fable will have close resemblance to our own character. A must read one to all
January 26, 2024
This is my second book of Sudha Murty's this month and as always the stories are relatable, touching and down to Earth. She puts across the moral at the end of each story without being too preachy.
It was an easy read consisting of 51 short stories about 2-3 pages each.
April 9, 2013
Picking up this book was probably not a good idea. I had to travel by train for thirteen hours and I needed a book to keep me occupied during the journey. So I bought this book at the store thinking it would be a nice and simple read that wouldn't be too demanding in the general chatter and noise of the train. It did work in those terms. But it also ended up boring me. Non-fiction, however simply told or enlightening, cannot hold my interest for too long. The stories seemed repetitive and draggy. Perhaps I shouldn't have tried to read it all at once. But the bottom line is that it wasn't a very good experience.
September 1, 2018
Right from the foreword, I sensed that something was amiss, but I did not want to assume the worst. Also, I hate giving up midway, so I finished the book as quickly as I could.
I admit that a few anecdotes were heartwarming, but overall the narrative almost feels like a sermon; it reeks of overt judgement and its tone is condescending.
I generally try to ignore anything I do not like or agree with, but I felt compelled to write this review. If you are an avid reader, this book is not what you seek.
I admit that a few anecdotes were heartwarming, but overall the narrative almost feels like a sermon; it reeks of overt judgement and its tone is condescending.
I generally try to ignore anything I do not like or agree with, but I felt compelled to write this review. If you are an avid reader, this book is not what you seek.
January 15, 2014
I agree with each word, experience shared by Ms. Sudha Murthy. This was the first time I read her book. It is truly amazing. Each story will touch the chords of your heart. Along with that It will motivate you to help those needy people. It will teach you that there is still innocence, love and sympathy left in us. Looking forward to her books!!
September 18, 2014
There are few good stories but not impressive. I do have a great Respect for Sudha Madam but I didnt like the way she criticize of other people, she should have also thought about other peoples point of view.. There's even a chapter where she criticize the readers who criticize her.
May 14, 2021
"Tell the truth, respect your elders, be sincere, work hard to be successful, be humble" - all these clichéd advice, if given in a matter-of-fact tone would appear bland and there is a risk of getting lost in deaf ears. Hence, Mrs Murthy, employs the form short tales to dispense those moral values. These stories are not some fables you find in the classics, rather, taken from Mrs. Murthy's own life experiences.
Every person you meet is a story. Courtesy, her philanthropic works, Mrs. Murthy has met many many people in her life.
These tales are like the pages from her diary.
Simple, yet effective. Like Sudha Ma'am herself. :)
Every person you meet is a story. Courtesy, her philanthropic works, Mrs. Murthy has met many many people in her life.
These tales are like the pages from her diary.
Simple, yet effective. Like Sudha Ma'am herself. :)
January 26, 2024
A captivating presentation of life anecdotes with short and straightforward narratives.
August 21, 2022
Sudha Murty Ma'am is a teacher in her essence. This book is a book of teachings that she puts out as small anecdotes from her life, which is indeed rich with experiences. It is full of life lessons, simple and often forgotten but she puts it across with her own tales from personal life and makes it an interesting reads. There are 51 stories from different experiences of her life. Overall, it was a small, quaint read with life lessons. Suitable for everyone.
July 21, 2020
I became Sudha Murty’s fan after reading her novel, “Mahashweta”. “Wise and Otherwise” is a book of real-life events in the lives of different people in various settings in different parts of India. Murty writes simply, yet effectively, about people’s temperaments, behaviour and situations, turning ordinary, everyday incidents into interesting stories through her laudable writing skills. These perceptive pieces of writing include incisive observations (both here and other people’s).
A couple of excerpts are:
1. “When a writer really experiences life, only then can he or she write about it. Language is just a tool but in no way can good language alone make a readable article. It is the personal experience along with suitable language that makes an article interesting to read. By reading your experiences, I have realised what kind of work you do and how passionately you do it”. (Written in a letter to Murty by a generous donor).
2. “I always feel that I am young at heart irrespective of my age. The reason is that I am a teacher, so I mix with the younger generation. Their energy is contagious. They share their secrets with me. They are my inspiration”.
Sudha Murty is an IT teacher, a committed social worker, runs the Infosys Foundation, has written books of numerous genres, and is also a columnist. Her stories are not only beautifully penned, most pass on powerful messages too. She says she learns valuable lessons from the destitute, deprived people she meets during her projects.
A couple of excerpts are:
1. “When a writer really experiences life, only then can he or she write about it. Language is just a tool but in no way can good language alone make a readable article. It is the personal experience along with suitable language that makes an article interesting to read. By reading your experiences, I have realised what kind of work you do and how passionately you do it”. (Written in a letter to Murty by a generous donor).
2. “I always feel that I am young at heart irrespective of my age. The reason is that I am a teacher, so I mix with the younger generation. Their energy is contagious. They share their secrets with me. They are my inspiration”.
Sudha Murty is an IT teacher, a committed social worker, runs the Infosys Foundation, has written books of numerous genres, and is also a columnist. Her stories are not only beautifully penned, most pass on powerful messages too. She says she learns valuable lessons from the destitute, deprived people she meets during her projects.
December 4, 2022
Definitely one of those books that change your perspective about small things in life and make you realise how little materialistic objects matter.
Since i had the opportunity to meet the author recently, i recall her words on 'money' in a rapid-fire round:
'It's a facility. It helps you to do a lot more good work.'
Wise and Otherwise encourages you to look at the world around you with new eyes.
Since i had the opportunity to meet the author recently, i recall her words on 'money' in a rapid-fire round:
'It's a facility. It helps you to do a lot more good work.'
Wise and Otherwise encourages you to look at the world around you with new eyes.
August 28, 2012
Nice collection of her (author's) self-confrontations of varied experiences across diverse cultures & diverse mindsets of people. It gives the reader very simple things of life to be looked at and to be considered. It makes you think to be more humane which people tend to forget.
Someone once told - We, all, are *social animals*, trying so hard to become humans !!!
Happy Reading :)
Someone once told - We, all, are *social animals*, trying so hard to become humans !!!
Happy Reading :)
October 1, 2018
What a positive and inspiring read!!!! This book taught me that it is not the beauty of language but the way it is told that makes a story interesting. These are mostly anecdotes in the life of Sudha Murty during her charity work sometimes in remote villages..The author's personality shines throughout the pages..Will read more of this simple sweet lady.
May 8, 2021
No words are enough to describe the beauty of this book, all the stories are so much interesting, Inspiring & yet so easy to read. I had a beautiful and soothing reading experience ,the kind of feeling I always get when I read Sudha Murthy mam's work.
September 18, 2020
The innocence in many child gets corrupted when they get older, either by their own bad experiences or by people's opinion. This book is a collection of short stories of those experiences of Sudha Murty. The stories, some of them are so innocent which makes you want to be a good person and do good for the people. It's gonna bring tears to your eyes, its definitely a must read.
This is going to be my all-time favourite❤️
This is going to be my all-time favourite❤️
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