The 70-hour workweek debate is back in the spotlight, and this time, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty, has weighed in. While Murthy’s initial remarks on young Indians working longer hours to boost productivity caused a storm, his wife has now added a new perspective: If you love what you do, time doesn’t matter.
But is passion enough to justify long working hours, or does this mindset risk normalizing corporate exploitation?
Work-Life Balance vs. Workaholic Culture
In her recent NDTV interview, Sudha Murty shared her belief that true passion makes work feel effortless. She reflected on how her husband built Infosys through hard work, luck, and the right opportunities. Instead of complaining about his long hours, she focused on supporting him and maintaining family balance.
She went a step further, saying she has worked more hours than her husband and credited Narayana Murthy as her pillar of support.
But here’s the catch: Is this perspective realistic for the average Indian worker?
While entrepreneurs like Murthy had a vision and a stake in their company’s success, millions of corporate employees work relentless hours without the same rewards. Is it fair to expect them to sacrifice personal life and mental health for professional success?
A Dangerous Precedent?
Sudha Murty compared her husband’s 70-hour workweeks to doctors, journalists, and other professionals who put in long hours to succeed. But is this commitment or compulsion?
- Many employees don’t work overtime out of passion but out of fear—fear of losing their jobs, missing promotions, or being labeled as ‘not hardworking enough.’
- India already has a toxic hustle culture where burnout is glorified. Long working hours lead to stress, anxiety, and declining productivity over time.
- Studies have repeatedly shown that overworking doesn’t always lead to better results—in fact, countries with shorter workweeks often have higher productivity.
So, is this ‘work more, achieve more’ philosophy outdated in today’s world?
The Privilege of Choice
One key takeaway from Sudha Murty’s statement is the role of privilege.
- She had the choice to support Narayana Murthy’s workaholic lifestyle.
- She now enjoys the freedom to work as much as she wants.
- Not everyone has financial stability to decide their work-life balance on their own terms.
Her argument that everyone has the same 24 hours might sound inspiring, but it also overlooks the realities of the modern workplace. A corporate employee doesn’t have the same freedom to set their own hours as a billionaire entrepreneur does.
Final Thought: Is Hard Work Enough?
Sudha Murty’s views raise important questions:
- Should employees be expected to work 70 hours a week for success?
- Does passion justify long work hours, or does it mask unhealthy work culture?
- Is the ‘grind culture’ still relevant in today’s evolving work environment?
The debate isn’t just about work ethic—it’s about redefining productivity in a way that values both success and well-being.
What’s your take? Is a 70-hour workweek the key to success, or is it just corporate slavery in disguise?
