JSW's Sajjan Jindal backs Narayana Murthy on 70-hour work week: ‘PM Modi works for 14-16 hours every day’

Sajjan Jindal was the latest to endorse NR Narayana Murthy's words that India's youngsters must work 70 hours every week. 

Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's suggestion that India's youth must work for 70 hours every week found endorsement from JSW Chairman Sajjan Jindal, who felt that the country's circumstances were different to some of the developed economies and India can ill afford to let "shorter work weeks become the standard".

In a statement released on Friday, Jindal said that the country's biggest strength was its young population and the time to spend on leisurely activities would come in future. "I whole heartedly endorse Mr. Narayana Murthy's statement. It's not about burnout, it's about dedication. We have to make India an economic superpower that we can all be proud of in India 2047.

"Our circumstances are unique and the challenges we face are distinct from the developed nations. They are working four or five days a week because their earlier generations clocked longer & more productive hours. We can't let shorter work weeks elsewhere become our standard," Jindal said.

I whole heartedly endorse Mr. Narayana Murthy's statement. It's not about burnout, it’s about dedication. We have to make India an economic superpower that we can all be proud of. #India2047— Sajjan Jindal (@sajjanjindal) October 27, 2023

Jindal further cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's example, who works 14-16 hours daily, and said that India did not need a five-day working culture, right now. "Our PM Narendra Modi ji works over 14-16 hours everyday. My father used to work 12-14 hours, 7 days a week. I work 10-12 hours everyday. We have to find passion in our work and in nation building. A five-day week culture is not what a rapidly developing nation of our size needs," he added.

Jindal was the latest to back Murthy's advice about India's youngsters working 70 hours every week after Ola CEO Bhavish Agarwal agreed with the Infosys founder's views, on Thursday.

Speaking in the first episode of the 3one4 Capital’s podcast ‘The Record’, Murthy expressed concern about India's low work productivity and suggested that if the country had to compete with global superpowers, then the youth must commit to working 70 hours every week.

Also read: Ashneer Grover on Narayana Murthy’s 70-hour work week week advice: ‘junta got offended because…’