Sudha Murty

Three Thousand Stitches

1. IDEA 1

   Change begins by listening first

   In the title story, Sudha Murty describes her early attempts to help devadasi women in Karnataka, who were met with suspicion and insults. She learnt that she had to earn their trust before she could help them.

2. IDEA 2

   Small steps can end old customs

   Murty describes how, over years, the devadasi women learnt new skills, opened bank accounts and became independent. The many stitches of a quilt symbolise the slow, patient work that changed their lives.

3. IDEA 3

   She was the only girl

   Murty describes joining an engineering college where she was the only female student. She faced teasing and lack of basic facilities, but answered with hard work and top marks. She refused to let the hostility stop her.

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