When people think of childhood memories, they often imagine parents who were always around. But for entrepreneur and philanthropist Akshata Murty, one of her earliest memories is very different. She remembers a kind man who would visit her every now and then. He spoke to her in English, made her feel like the center of his world, and left her heartbroken every time he had to go. That man was her father, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.Speaking on 'The Rosebud Podcast' with Gyles Brandreth, Akshata shared that she spent the first five years of her life with her maternal grandparents in Hubli, Karnataka, while her parents, Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty, worked tirelessly to build what would later become one of India's most successful technology companies. Her story is a powerful reminder that parenting is not always about being physically present every single day. Sometimes, it's about making every moment together count.15 Jun 2026 | 12:57Is spending lakhs on a child’s birthday party reasonable or insane?Love can be felt even in short momentsAkshata recalled that whenever her father visited, he gave her his complete attention. "He enforced no rules. He made me the center of his world. I felt like a princess," she shared. Children may not remember every gift they receive or every outing they go on, but they often remember how someone made them feel. Akshata's memories show that even limited time can leave a lifelong emotional impact when it is filled with love, warmth, and genuine connection.The village that helped raise a childWhile her parents were building their careers, Akshata and her younger brother grew up with their maternal grandparents. Looking back, she described those years as "absolutely joyful." Her grandfather, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, and her grandmother, a homemaker, gave her a childhood filled with care, values, and stability. Instead of seeing those early years as a sacrifice, Akshata remembers them with gratitude. Her story highlights an important truth many Indian families understand well: grandparents often play a meaningful role in raising children, passing on traditions, values, and unconditional love.Children understand love in their own way One of the most touching moments from the podcast came when Akshata reflected on whether she truly understood that Narayana Murthy was her father. She said she knew it intellectually because she called him "Appa," the Kannada word for father. But emotionally, he felt like someone even more special. "He just was this special person in my life," she said. That simple statement shows how children build emotional bonds. They don't measure love by calendars or clocks. They remember kindness, affection, and the feeling of being important to someone.Building dreams often requires difficult choicesThe Murty family's story also reflects the reality many working parents face. While Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty were laying the foundation of Infosys, they had to make difficult personal decisions. Living apart from their children during those early years could not have been easy, but it was part of building a future for their family. Today, many parents travel for work, work long hours, or live away from home because of professional responsibilities. Akshata's reflections remind us that while these choices come with challenges, emotional connection can still remain strong when love is consistently expressed.A bond that has only grown stronger Even today, Akshata says her father remains one of the most special people in her life. One memory she still carries is lying beside him during his afternoon naps. She vividly remembers the comfort of resting in the crook of his arm and even recalls what he wore. Decades later, those small moments continue to stay with her. It is a reminder that children often treasure the simplest memories far more than the grandest gestures.The takeawayAkshata Murty's childhood story is not just about growing up with famous parents. It is about the many forms that love can take. Some parents are present every day. Others are separated by work, distance, or circumstances. Yet what often shapes a child's heart is not the number of hours spent together, but the quality of those moments. For every working parent who worries they are not doing enough, Akshata's story offers a gentle reminder: children may forget how busy you were, but they rarely forget how deeply you loved them. Sometimes, a few meaningful moments are powerful enough to last a lifetime.