'Only PM Modi works 100 hours a week’: Narayana Murthy tells Tejasvi Surya on Mumbai-Bengaluru flight

Narayana Murthy’s comment about longer working hours, made in 2023, had ignited a sharp public debate across professional, academic and political circles.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya shared details of an enriching and unexpected conversation with Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy during a flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru, describing the interaction as a “two-hour masterclass” on India’s future, leadership, and development.

In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), the Bengaluru South MP recounted a deeply inspiring exchange with the IT industry pioneer who is widely recognised for his pivotal role in transforming India’s technology landscape and creating economic opportunities for lakhs of middle-class Indian families through the growth of Infosys.

“From AI to manufacturing, the state of our cities, upskilling youth, ethics, and leadership, the breadth of knowledge and clarity NRN brings to every topic is phenomenal,” Surya wrote in his post.

Calling it a privilege to listen to and learn from “one of the architects of India’s modern tech economy”, the parliamentarian added that he had jokingly pledged to emulate Murthy’s famously high work ethic.

“I quipped that I’ll strive to meet his 70-hour-a-week target,” Surya wrote, referencing Murthy’s widely debated suggestion that young Indians should commit to working 70 hours a week to accelerate the nation’s development.

According to Surya, the Infosys co-founder responded with good humour. “The only person I know who probably works 100 hours a week is Prime Minister Modi!” Murthy reportedly said.

Had an inspiring conversation with the legendary NRN today on the way back to Bengaluru from Mumbai.

NRN pioneered the Indian IT services sector, turning it into a global powerhouse. He created wealth for literally lakhs of middle class families through Infosys.

From AI to… pic.twitter.com/ZpcnRWmbQR

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— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) July 15, 2025

Murthy’s comment about longer working hours, made in 2023, had ignited a sharp public debate across professional, academic and political circles. While some hailed the sentiment as a call to national service in the face of global competition, others criticised it as an unrealistic and outdated ideal that risked normalising overwork and undermining work-life balance.

Surya’s post quickly gained traction on social media, reigniting discussions around Murthy’s controversial 70-hour work week comment. While several users appreciated the opportunity for a younger leader to learn from a visionary like Murthy, others continued to challenge the underlying idea of glorifying excessive work hours.

One user commented, “Working long hours doesn’t guarantee success or innovation. Quality over quantity matters. The focus should be on creating a balanced environment where creativity can flourish, not on glorifying overwork.”