A Gift of Invaluable Lessons. Review on How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories - Sudha Murty

My Experience:

When I looked at the book cover for the first time, I thought this might be another impractical, so-called motivational book filled with author's own views forced on the reader hardly having anything to do with the day to day life of a person. I was wrong! The book “ How I taught My Grandmother and Other Stories” is one of its kind book that does not only touch your heart but makes a lifelong imprint on it.

Reading the book was like hearing tales from Grand Ma! I remember my teacher, Mr. Surendra Sharma, who has a similar way of teaching as Mrs. Sudha Murthy. In fact, reading this book took me back to my classroom days and I felt like a teacher (Sudha Murthy) is sitting right in front of me in the teacher's chair and telling her stories straight out from her life's experiences. Each story full of lessons.

The Book:

There are total 28 stories in this book! The book is a very easy read and was written keeping in mind the diversity of age group of the readers. It is a book written for children, but there is more to it for young adults.

Hassan's attendance problems, Appro JRD, The story of Two Doctors, Gowramma's Letter, Who is Great! are my favourite ones even though I loved every story. The book can read be read more than once and every read will let you discover something great and new about it as well as about yourself.

1. Appro JRD

This story tells the incidence of How Sudha Murty Ended up working for TCS. A notice of  job was posted in her Engineering college only for Men! Agitated by this, she wrote a letter to JRD directly. What is the letter, Why she gets so agitated with the notice and what happens after that forms the crux of this story. Respect will follow for the visionary JRD.

2.The Story of Two Doctors

In this story she highlights the importance of hard work and sacrifice that one needs to do for the sake of human kind and she explains it through the story of two doctors who discovered a local anesthesia. It is intrusting how they demonstrate it to the world. Also, in this story she mentions about her sister who is a doctor and how loyal she is to her work unlike many who just work for the sake on money.

1. Gowramma's Letter

This particular story is of author's childhood time when she used to read out stories to her illiterate grandma. Through this story one comes to know how problematic life becomes without education especially for a women, and why women's education is important.

4.Who is Great

This is straight out of the classroom of Mrs. Sudha Murty. She narrates an incident that takes place while taking a class and deals with the story she tells to her student to make understand them what is greatness? The story is enthralling.

5.Hassan's Attendance Problem

here she describes the consequences of not taking things seriously and not working for the sake of knowledge.Only working for marks or money will lead nowhere. She explains it with quintessential example of her student Hassan who used to bunk a lot of her class.

It is astonishing how Mrs. Sudha Murthy Ma'am has narrated these small small stories and incidences of her life that teaches more about the mantra of life than any motivational speaker ever could.

Her writing is simple, and narration piercing.

Sometimes, human complicate simple things in life. To explain such complexions, a demonstration is needed and what better than a story is!

Author:

Mrs. Sudha Murthy is a teacher, social worker and a philanthropist. This much is more to summarise this lady. Her work speaks more than my words will. She is the spouse of humble, Mr. Narayan Murthy, the founder of Infosys. Her contribution towards family, company and world is immense. Her humbleness reflects in her writing. A visionary I must say! It is not her stature, or richness that makes are stand apart but her take on life is what makes her an idol to look upon for inspiration.

*Conclusion:

"How I taught my grandmother and other stories" is a gift of invaluable experience from Mrs. Sudha Murthy that inspires the young to perspire for their country and for the human kind. The book has something in it for everybody. Ma'am has tried to throw light more on the attitude of people and how that makes difference to one's life.

Highly recommended, especially for gifting somebody!