Narayana Murthy explains how India can overcome poverty with 70-hour workweek
Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again defended his stance on the need for a 70-hour workweek. During a recent visit to Kolkata, which he described as «the most cultured place in the entire country,» Murthy emphasized that India’s youth must embrace hard work if the country is to reach its full potential on the global stage. He addressed the issue at the centenary launch of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, sharing his thoughts with RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka.
Murthy stressed that India’s young workforce must aim higher to achieve national progress. «At Infosys, we compared ourselves with the best global companies, and I can tell you, we Indians still have a lot of work ahead,» Murthy said. He pointed out that 800 million Indians rely on free rations, a sign of the nation’s widespread poverty. «If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will?» he asked, urging the audience to take responsibility for their collective future.
The Path to Eradicating Poverty
Murthy shared his belief that creating jobs is the key to lifting people out of poverty. According to him, the only way to fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. He also made it clear that the role of government in entrepreneurship is minimal and that entrepreneurs build nations by creating jobs, generating wealth for investors, and paying taxes.
Reflecting on his own journey, Murthy recalled his past as a Leftist during the time of Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership. He stated that his father often spoke of
