Infy CEO puts spotlight on better half

Shibulal plans to commission biography of his wife

Infosys Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer S D Shibulal prefers to stay out of the limelight himself, but doesn’t seem to have any such hesitation in putting the spotlight on his better half.

Shibulal has contracted a professional writer to author a biography on his wife, Kumari Shibulal, sources familiar with the development told Business Standard. The proposed biography will highlight her accomplishments in philanthropic ventures, describe the couple’s life in the early years of Infosys, and reveal some of the interesting, yet “not so well-known” stories.

For instance, Kumari Shibulal was one of the first few who helped P T Usha in setting up the Usha School of Athletics in Kerala.

Shibulal did not want to speak on this topic. “There might have been some conversations, which might have happened. But I am not aware of anything that has happened on these lines,” he said.

However, sources said a brand, marketing and communication specialist in Bangalore was given the contract to write the biography. When contacted, the writer on condition of anonymity confirmed that there were discussions, but the project was yet to be finalised. “It was purely on a personal relationship that the offer was made. But I’m pursuing a different career now. I have a non-disclosure agreement and cannot reveal anything more,” the writer said.

It was not immediately known when the biography will be published.

While Sudha Murthy (wife of Infosys founder and former chairman N R Narayana Murthy) and Rohini Nilekani (spouse of former co-chairman Nandan Nilekani) have often received media attention, not much has been written about Kumari Shibulal so far.

She is involved with quite a few charitable institutions along with her husband like Sarojini Damodaran Charitable Trust, Advaith Foundation and The Samhita Academy.