Indian Women Go Above And Beyond: CEO Responds To Narayana Murthy's 70-Hour Week Remark

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently suggested that India's youth must work for 70 hours every week to boost the country's overall work productivity and economy. 

This remark has created quite a stir online with a few people questioning the work life balance etiqutte and long-term health implications of long working hours. Edelweiss CEO and Managing Director Radhika Gupta weighed in on the matter and said that Indian women have been working much more than 70 hours per week for decades, however, nobody has paid attention to that.

In a post on X, Radhika Gupta said: “Between offices and homes, many Indian women have been working many more than seventy hour weeks to build India (through our work) and the next generation of Indians (our children). For years and decades. With a smile, and without a demand for overtime. Funnily, no one has debated about us on Twitter."

Between offices and homes, many Indian women have been working many more than seventy hour weeks to build India (through our work) and the next generation of Indians (our children). For years and decades. With a smile, and without a demand for overtime.

Funnily, no one has…

— Radhika Gupta (@iRadhikaGupta) October 29, 2023

The post has accumlated significant attention with many praising Gupta's observation and stating how women's unpaid labour at home is often unaccounted for. 

“I’ve been on homemaker duties for the past 2 months. Earlier, while leaving the office, I thought of hanging out with friends. Now, while leaving, the lingering thought is of the dinner and evening chores. This starts with the morning and stays there till I fall asleep," wrote on individual.

“Indian women’s tireless dedication deserves recognition,” posted an individual.

Narayana Murthy’s 70 hours work a week remark

Murthy work remark was made in conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai, “If we want to compete with the fastest growing countries like China and Japan, we need to boost up our work productivity."

He further added that at the moment, India’s work productivity is very low and our youngsters need to work for at least 70 hours a week.

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, at Apollo Hospital in Delhi criticised the 'hustle' workculture and hard work doesn't mean one neglects or compromises their health.

"Hard work is fine, but a person should take care of one's health too while following their ambition," he added in an interview to Press Trust Of India.

 Suggested Reading: Power Of Nari In Sari: Radhika Gupta Hails Women Scientists At ISRO