Narayana Murthy suggests 3-shift work in infra, pitches for completing Electronics City Metro

"Elsewhere in the nation with high aspirations, people work — I have seen two shifts because I would return around midnight. And I've seen people working as if they're going to disappear tomorrow morning. So, while I cannot vouch for three shifts there, I can vouch for two shifts," he said.

The IT veteran recently sparked a debate after making a remark that "youngsters should work 70 hours a week if India wants to compete with economies that have made tremendous progress in the last two to three decades."

Also, read: Narayana Murthy says India’s work culture must change: ‘Youngsters should work 70 hours a week’

Murthy said, "Now, if we want to be better than all those countries, why don't we say our people will work three shifts? Ask them what the requirements are for them to complete their work by working three shifts, provide them that. I think there is a little bit of these things that can be done by our leaders. And if we did that, then I have no doubt why India cannot grow even faster than China, not just in growth alone. Our base is only 3.5 trillion, whereas China's is 19 trillion. But we will catch up with China, and hopefully, one day we can overtake China. But that requires making quick decisions, ensuring that all hurdles for entrepreneurs like you and others today, I'm not an entrepreneur, are removed, as if there is no tomorrow," he said

He highlighted that Bengaluru contributes about 35 to 37% of the total software exports from India, saying, "So, what that means is you're looking at about $75 billion from just Bengaluru, considering $200 billion as the total export from India. But what can we do to make Bengaluru even more attractive?"

NRN backs English medium schools

He noted, "During my 30 years as the CEO and executive chairman, the maximum percentage of local people that you can employ in an industry like software services is about 60%. So, it means that the rest 50% of the talent will inevitably come from other states in India and maybe a small percentage from developed countries. So, the first task of a good public governance system for Bengaluru to become even stronger is to provide total freedom to start English medium schools, whether we like it or not. Because I have met a lot of very important people in different areas, and they all have sent their children to English medium schools," he said.

He said, "I haven't come across anybody very important in any area who sent their children to Kannada medium schools. I'm a Kannadiga, I speak Kannada, I enjoy reading SL Bhyrappa, Shivarama Karanth, my own wife (Sudha Murty). That is not the issue, but the reality is, what is it that we need to do so that Bengaluru becomes even more successful?"

China model

Sharing an experience from China, Murthy said, "I think we have to improve our infrastructure with a sense of alacrity. In 2004, the Chinese government came to know that we were looking to start a development center in China. So, the mayor of Shanghai invited me to his place for breakfast. And he asked me, 'What do you want?' I said, 'Look, I want land right in the center of Pudong. I want about 25 acres.' And he said, 'Of course, they do their work before meeting,' and said we have identified three pieces of land; you kindly go and see. And by tomorrow evening at 5 pm, we will give you the letter of allotment and possession, and that happened," he said.

"China may not be our friend today, I accept all of that; that is for our political leaders who will handle China the way it should be handled. All of that, I am nobody there; I have no locus standi to comment on geopolitical issues. I am only talking from the dimension of making quick decisions," he said.

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