Tech billionaire advocates for young Indians to work 70-hour weeks
Renowned Indian tech billionaire advocates for a stronger work ethic among young Indians to accelerate the country's rise as a global economic force Emphasizes the need for increased working hours and dedication for greater success
According to N.R. Narayana Murthy, a highly respected entrepreneur in India, the country's youth must commit to working exceptionally long hours in order for India to emerge as a global economic force. Murthy, who co-founded Infosys, a prominent software company, emphasized the importance of young individuals possessing strong determination, discipline, and work ethic. Murthy suggested that these individuals should dedicate a staggering 70 hours per week to their work.
In a YouTube chat published on Thursday, Murthy informed Mohandas Pai, the former CFO of Infosys, that the actions taken by the Germans and Japanese post-World War II closely parallel the current situation. Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys in 1981, is ranked among the wealthiest individuals with an estimated fortune exceeding $4 billion according to Forbes. The firm has since developed into one of the largest outsourcing companies globally.
Additionally, he is the father-in-law of Rishi Sunak, the current British Prime Minister.
Murthy expressed concern about the tendency of our youth to adopt unfavorable habits from the West, without contributing much to the betterment of our country. He emphasized that India's work productivity is among the lowest globally.
The tech mogul emphasized the importance for Indians to draw lessons from successful policies implemented in other growing economies, with a special focus on China.
According to him, Indian corporate leaders should inspire the younger generation to put in a great deal of effort by highlighting that "India is finally being acknowledged on the global stage." He urged them to seize this opportunity to strengthen and expedite further advancements.
India, which is recognized as one of the world's rapidly growing major economies, is expected to achieve a 6.3% expansion this year, as per the International Monetary Fund.
Murthy's statements regarding working longer hours professionally come at a juncture where there has been a significant change in work attitudes both in the Western countries and in China.
In recent years, a growing number of young individuals in China have adopted an innovative mindset referred to as "lying flat" as a response to the country's demanding "996" work culture. This culture entails working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Similarly, in the United States, a workplace phenomenon known as "quiet quitting" gained momentum last year. This trend involved individuals choosing to refrain from tasks that exceeded their job responsibilities.
Social media vehemently criticized Murthy's remarks. Numerous surveys in recent years indicate that Indians perceive themselves as one of the most overworked and undercompensated groups globally. CNN has contacted Infosys for a statement.
