New Delhi: Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy remained unfazed about criticism around his advocacy for a 70-hour work week. “Sorry, I have not changed my view,” Murthy said. He also expressed disappointment around India’s move to a 6-hour and subsequently 5-hour work week.
“I will take this with me to my grave,” he reiterated during an event. Murthy traced the shift in the work week to 5 days per week in 1986. Development required sacrifice, he added.
Inspired by PM Modi, Germany and Japan
Murthy used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s example to show how he worked 100 hours per week. He said the only way to appreciate the PM’s hard work was to work just as hard. Citing the example of Germany and Japan, Murthy said India needs to be inspired by these countries which rebuilt themselves from the ground up after the Second World War.
Narayana Murthy’s work ethic
The Infosys co-founder said that his career was punctuated by 14-hour workdays. He worked 6.5 days per week. Murthy said he was proud that he entered the office at 6:30 am and only 8:40 pm. For Murthy, hard work trumped everything. “Even if you are the most intelligent guy you have to work hard,” he concluded.
What Murthy said about lateral hiring
Murthy had a suggestion about hiring in civil services. He urged the Modi government to consider lateral hiring of managers. These managers may be trained at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, he said. India needed subject matter experts instead of general administrators, he asserted.
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy said he stuck by his stance favouring a 70-hour work week. He expressed sadness about India moving to a 5-hour work week. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
