SHEELA MURTHY’S FAVORITES

Role Model

As a human being, maybe Vasant, my husband.

Hobby

Love swimming. Love the water. Love arguing.

Holiday Destination

Many places. I love the Maldives. I’m a positive personality, so even in a bad holiday, I’ll see something fantastic.

Quote

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say.’

Food

Yummy. I love almost all food. I’m a total foodie. Maybe spicy nuts. .

Movie

As a child growing up, I was very taken up by My Fair Lady. I like the Cinderella kind of story.

Legal Movie

To Kill a Mockingbird

Music

I love jazz music. It is so therapeutic and just lights my soul.

them how to complete the forms, what to do, how to answer certain questions, etc.”

Fight For Happiness

The immigration expert acknowledges the dilemma that many, especially South Asians face in challenging a notice of denial. Murthy understands that it’s ingrained in our cultural fabric not to challenge authority and it may be unthinkable for a lot of people to take on a U.S. government agency for fear of retribution or permanent denial of application. “Life is all about believing in yourself and believing you deserve happiness and success in life. So, if somebody denies your petition, your extension, your approval, what is owed to you, challenge them,” Murthy offers. “Respond to the request for evidence, respond to the notice of intention to deny, the notice of intention to revoke. This is America. It’s a democracy. It’s a nation of immigrants. They have to respect us and our contributions as immigrants to this great country. So sue them if they don’t do what they’re supposed to do.”

Expectations From The Modi Visit

Murthy is hopeful that Prime Minister Modi will have meaningful discussions with President Joe Biden. “I know one of the issues, from the India perspective, we want to eliminate the per country quota limits, which is causing huge backlogs in our green card processing. Adding more consular officers, making sure Indian approval rates for visas are improved.”

She also suggests what could be used as tools by India to assist in the negotiations. She points out the investments being made in the field of education by Indians in the US. Indians are paying billions of dollars to help the U.S. economy by attending universities and colleges in the U.S. “We should use our trump cards to get the best deal for ourselves. Obviously I love my birth country and my adopted country. I want the best for both, our potential is limitless.”

WOULD POLITICS BECKON?

The proposition to enter politics has been made to Murthy multiple times with a near possibility of her becoming Senator representing Maryland. She was asked to run for Lieutenant Governor and could have been the first South Asian to occupy the post in the country, a feat that would be achieved by Aruna Miller. “I have been asked over the years but my husband’s a very private person. He probably would be miserable being in any kind of limelight. I feel that I can do so much good even in the position I am in. This is my role and I’m very happy in this role. It’s what I love doing. Let’s leave politics to those who love politics,” she says.

PHILANTHROPY, NOT POLITICS

‘If you ever make some money in life, it is your moral, legal and ethical obligation to share it with others, Murthy’s father had told her when she was young. The Murthy Nayak Foundation (MNF), a non-governmental organization, was established shortly after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The not for profit organization was started and continues to identify and support a range of projects in

India and the United States. “A portion of our money will go directly to help people and to give opportunities to people. To help others with a roof over their head, food, education for women and immigration and immigrant’s rights,” she listed the works being carried out by the foundation in both the countries. Murthy took her father’s advice seriously and carried out his wish. “I know that he was very proud because he was alive when I was giving a lot of money and doing a lot of things. He really felt very, very proud,” she says.

BEING SHEELA – BOOK TO FILM

The biography on Murthy titled Being Sheela, published by Harper Collins may be adapted for the screen. The book is being pitched to Hollywood and Bollywood and Murthy hopes that Priyanka Chopra Jonas can play the part. “She has a similar kind of background. Her father was in the Indian Army, she’s like a younger version of me to some extent. She’s also come from India to the United States. So that’s a possibility.” Murthy hopes that through her story people will be inspired to help others along life’s journey. “Even if someone says, ‘Hey, if Sheila can do this, I can do it.’ Nothing would give me greater joy.”

Role Reversal

How her husband, an artist, has been her biggest champion, in Sheela Murthy’s own words.

My husband, unlike most Indian men, was willing to give up his career to support mine. He has always been a true partner in life. Most people use the term ‘the better half’ for their wives. In my case, my true better half is my husband. To some extent, we have role reversals, because he’s more the artist, caring, sensitive, the gentle person and I am more rough and tough fighting for clients, demanding and a little annoying.

So it’s a reversal of traditional roles compared to the way we were brought up or expected to behave as men and women in India. During COVID-19 he was helping hundreds of families in India, artists and professors. He started Photo South Asia to help photographers and artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and all the neighboring countries giving support in terms of money to help photo education. Anything I want to do, he says, ‘go for it, I support you and I love you.’

He’s not been insecure about my success. He’s a big part of the reason for my success, because he’s the one who set up the website murthy.com for me. He’s the one who pushed me into understanding how the internet would change the world. He has been integral in every way, shape or form. He has been loving, caring and supportive. He has helped me with my law firm. He has helped me in life. He’s helped me to become a better human being.