Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, has emphasized the need for a cultural shift in India’s work ethic, suggesting that young people should commit to working approximately 70 hours per week to help India compete with nations that have made significant progress over the past few decades. Speaking on a podcast, Murthy discussed the importance of enhancing work productivity and discipline in the country, asserting that India lags behind in these aspects. He highlighted that India’s youth should be willing to put in extra hours, akin to how Japan and Germany increased their work hours after World War II to catch up with global economies.
Murthy also pointed out other obstacles to India’s growth, such as government corruption and bureaucratic delays. He called for the reduction of corruption and improved efficiency in government decision-making. He stressed that India’s low work productivity is an impediment to its competitiveness on the world stage.
The billionaire entrepreneur urged today’s youth to embrace a new work culture characterized by discipline, determination, and hard work. He believes that the responsibility of driving India’s progress rests with the younger generation, who comprise a significant portion of the population. Murthy suggested that this cultural transformation is essential, as the government can only do so much without the active participation of the people. He contends that the youth must lead the way by committing to long working hours.
This isn’t the first time Murthy has advocated for extended work hours. In 2020, he urged Indian professionals to work 60 hours a week for a period of two to three years to help revive the economy following the pandemic.
