Narayana Murthy’s 70-Hour Work Advice Receives Positive Feedback from Western Associates and NRIs
Written by Sanjay Kumar
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has reiterated his stance on advocating for a 70-hour work week, emphasizing that India’s educated population owes it to the less fortunate to work “extremely hard.” In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, the 77-year-old defended his controversial advice, stating that farmers and factory workers in India engage in physically demanding professions, making it essential for the educated class to contribute significantly.
R. Narayana Murthy
Indian businessman
- Born: 20 August 1946 (age 77 years), Sidlaghatta
- Net worth: 460 crores USD (2024) Forbes
- Spouse: Sudha Murty (m. 1978)
- Education: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (1969), MORE
- Organization founded: Infosys
- Children: Akshata Murty, Rohan Murty
- Parents: Padavathamma Murthy, N. Rama Rao
Despite facing widespread backlash on social media for his initial comments, Narayana Murthy asserted that he received support from “good people” and non-resident Indians (NRIs). “A lot of my western friends, NRIs, and many well-meaning individuals in India called me, and without exception, they were all very happy with my perspective,” he told CNBC-TV18.
In the interview, philanthropist and author Sudha Murty, who was interviewed alongside her husband, shared that a 70-hour work week is common for their family. Sudha Murty also disclosed that Narayana Murthy himself often worked as many as 90 hours in a week. Narayana Murthy emphasized that he never provides advice “without doing it myself first,” shedding light on his rigorous work routine at Infosys.
Recounting his past experiences, Narayana Murthy detailed his work schedule at Infosys, where he dedicated 85-90 hours every week. “I used to go to work six and a half days. Even in the electronics area, I used to work six and a half days. Every day, I would leave home at 6 a.m., be in the office by 6:20 a.m., and leave by about 8:15-8:30 p.m.,” he stated.
Narayana Murthy’s call for a 70-hour work week last October drew criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised about the promotion of a lack of work-life balance. The founder defended his position by drawing parallels with post-World War II Germany and Japan, stating that similar strategies were employed to rebuild those economies.
Despite the controversy, Narayana Murthy remains steadfast in his belief that hard work is essential for personal and national growth, highlighting the importance of contributing to the development of India’s less fortunate citizens.
