Entrepreneur and Shark Tank panelist Namita Thapar has joined the conversation regarding the contentious issue of working a 70-hour workweek. Thapar expressed her concerns on Twitter, focusing on the potential repercussions of such prolonged work hours on family life. She pondered whether it would still be feasible to allocate time for family, create cherished memories, and prioritize mental health when heeding advice from experts like Anupam Mittal, who endorse the idea of a 70-hour workweek.
The debate on this topic was initially sparked by N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, who recommended that young professionals work 70 hours a week to enhance India’s productivity levels. During a podcast conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai, Murthy emphasized that India’s work productivity lags behind many other countries and emphasized the need for improvement to compete effectively on a global scale, drawing comparisons with nations like China, Japan, and Germany.
Numerous founders and leaders have shared their thoughts on Murthy’s proposition, with some in agreement and others in opposition. Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, showcased his commitment to long work hours by sharing a selfie with his fellow judges on Shark Tank India.
On the contrary, RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka disputed Murthy’s viewpoint, asserting that the traditional five-day office week is outdated. He emphasized the significance of remote work and flexibility, noting that people are increasingly spending a significant portion of their work hours remotely. Goenka regarded the blending of office and remote work as the future, highlighting the importance of ambition, purpose, and productivity over the sheer number of hours worked.
Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola Cabs, echoed Murthy’s stance, underscoring the importance of hard work in building India’s future. He emphasized the need to dedicate oneself to achieving what other countries have built over generations, as opposed to seeking reduced work hours for leisure.
Sajjan Jindal, chairman of the JSW Group, also supported Murthy’s statement, asserting that dedication, not burnout, is the key to India’s aspiration of becoming an economic superpower by 2047. He emphasized the need for a culture of hard work, rejecting the conventional five-day workweek for a rapidly developing nation of India’s size.
Kunal Shah, the founder of CRED, aligned with the idea that significant achievements often require sacrificing work-life balance. While acknowledging that it’s a personal choice, he stressed that, as a nation, India has a long way to go in terms of progress and development, indicating that the pursuit of ambitious goals might necessitate intense commitment.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding the merits of a 70-hour workweek remains ongoing, with varied perspectives and opinions from prominent figures in the entrepreneurial and business world. Each viewpoint reflects a unique stance on the balance between work and personal life and the level of dedication required to achieve India’s aspirations for economic growth and development.
