Akshata Murty highlights ‘purpose is great as a theoretical exercise, but when you put it into action, might find it taxing’

In the ever-evolving world, it isn’t easy to find a sense of belongingness and purpose. According to Akshata Murty, the key to unlocking the same lies in curiosity and inspiring purpose. Thus, she started the programme called Lessons at 10.

Speaking about the same in an exclusive conversation with us on TOI Women, she said, “It aimed at getting young people from across the UK to come and visit Downing Street every Friday as a way to learn about British history, learn about democracy, learn about Downing Street, of course, but also to get them to engage in curiosity.”

“Because I think when we engage in curiosity, as I said earlier, we become more open-minded, and we become more humble. And I think the next generation, if we can have young people be more open-minded and humble, I think we're all in a better place,” she added.

Following a purpose can be taxing

While Akshata believes that following a purpose is very important, he also understands that maintaining the same can be taxing. Sharing her thoughts on it, Akshata said, “Purpose is great as a theoretical exercise, but sometimes when you put it into action, you might find it taxing. And I think, for me, it comes back to what moves you, right? And what moves you is a feeling, it's not a thought, it's a feeling.”

Give anecdotes from her own journey, she mentioned, “what moves me is a genuine belief that we can, I can have some kind of small impact, or I can have a small impact on the people around me. And that gets me out of bed, that gets me motivated, that gets me to push through those obstacles.”

“So I think partly, again, as a young person, you don't know what moves you. But for example, a programme like Lessons at 10 was exactly that, maybe a young person will hear a piece of music and feel something inside. Maybe they will play tennis for the first time. And we had a few people who did play tennis for the first time during these Lessons at the 10 series, and they were so moved by that, excited and moved. So I think I would humbly suggest, let's look at what moves you. And then let's layer that with the values,” concluded Akshata.