'Will we ever have time for family': Shark Tank India's Namita Thapar on 70-hour work weeks

Namita Thapar's comment was primarily aimed at fellow Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal. (File photo)

Shark Tank India judge and executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Namita Thapar on Tuesday questioned those advocating working for 70 hours a week on how they would find time to spend with family and on mental health.

The Shark's comment was primarily directed at fellow judge Anupam Mittal who had recently suggested that he has been working long hours -- perhaps equivalent to 70 hours a week -- for years.

"Anupam Mittal, if we listen to you and other experts about working 70 hours/week (plus horrendous commute time) will we ever find time for family, creating precious memories, and most importantly for mental health?" Namita Thapar wrote on X while sharing a video of preparing for Halloween celebrations with her family.

Halloween shananigans are always fun, kiddos & me made these goodies,@AnupamMittal if we listen to you & other experts about working 70 hour/ week (plus horrendous commute time) will we ever find time for family, creating precious memories & most importantly for mental health ? pic.twitter.com/0NIkrfII2f

— Namita (@namitathapar) October 31, 2023

Thapar's comments also come in the wake of a raging debate sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy who advised youngsters in India to work for 70 hours a week to increase India's overall productivity.

In conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai, Murthy said that India’s work productivity is among the lowest in the world and to compete with countries like China, India’s youngsters must put in extra hours of work – as Japan and Germany did after World War 2.

“So therefore, my request is that our youngsters must say, ‘This is my country. I’d like to work 70 hours a week'," the 77-year-old said.

Social media experts, medical professionals, and other business leaders, however, pointed out that such routines would lead to cardiac issues and stress-related complications, not to mention that the long hours may also lead to poor quality work and even poorer personal life.

Read more: Sudha Murty says husband Narayana Murthy 'has worked 80 to 90 hours a week'