Supporters of Narayana Murthy's 70-hour workweek remark share THIS advice for youngsters: 'India needs to...'

A new debate on long work hours in India has sparked strong reactions online. A social media post on Grapevine argued that India needs to work more to achieve economic growth. The post defended the idea of a 70-hour workweek, saying, “India needs to work (create value) a lot more… If we don’t create enough value, we won’t become a developed nation by 2045.”

The discussion first gained attention after Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to help the country progress. Murthy said, “If we continue to make excuses, we will remain wretched, filthy, and poor.”

However, not everyone agrees. One online commenter argued that working long hours does not guarantee higher productivity. “You won’t generate value even if you work 140 hours a week. Productivity is measured in dollar value per hour, and we are a poor country.”

Some suggested a different approach. “Work efficiently for 35-37 hours weekly with sufficient breaks. Hustle hard but hustle smart,” another user wrote.

The debate took another turn when L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan suggested a 90-hour workweek, asking, “How long can you stare at your wife?” His comment received widespread criticism.

Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal also weighed in, calling the obsession with long hours “a big lie.” He emphasized that success depends on effort and strategy, not just hours worked.

As the discussion continues, some believe in working harder for national growth, while others warn about burnout and mental health issues. One critic summed it up: “Provide value—but don’t kill yourself in the process.”