In a recent revelation, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy shared insights into his professional journey, underscoring the significance of hard work in achieving success. In an interview with The Economic Times, Murthy disclosed that during the early years of Infosys, he dedicated an extensive 85 to 90 hours per week to the company’s establishment.
Murthy, a proponent of dedicated effort, credited his work ethic to his parents’ teachings, emphasizing the role of hard work in overcoming poverty. His commitment to productivity is evident in his historical work schedule, wherein until 1994, he worked six days a week, arriving at the office at 6:20 am and leaving at 8:30 pm.
Addressing the need for increased work productivity in India, Murthy engaged in a conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai on 3one4 Capital’s podcast ‘The Record.’ He stressed the importance of competition with rapidly growing nations like China and Japan, drawing parallels with post-World War II efforts in Germany and Japan, where citizens worked extra hours for national development.
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal echoed Murthy’s sentiments, asserting that the focus should be on building India’s future, rather than reducing working hours. Industrialist Sajjan Jindal supported Murthy’s stance, stating that a five-day workweek may not be suitable for a rapidly developing nation like India.
However, there was dissent on social media, with film producer Ronnie Screwvala noting that productivity enhancement isn’t solely about working longer hours, sparking discussions on the evolving nature of work culture and efficiency.
