Fri Nov 15 17:55:42 UTC 2024: ## Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Defends 70-Hour Work Week Statement
**Hyderabad, India** – Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has defended his controversial statement advocating a 70-hour work week, asserting that hard work is crucial for India’s growth. Speaking at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit, Murthy reiterated his belief, stating, “Forgive me, I will not change my mind. I will hold this view for as long as I live.”
He expressed disappointment over the shift from a six-day to a five-day work week in India’s IT sector in 1986, arguing that sacrifices, not leisure, are essential for national progress. Murthy recounted his own rigorous work ethic, detailing a personal schedule that often involved 14-hour workdays, six and a half days a week, from 6:30 AM to 8:40 PM. He expressed pride in this commitment, emphasizing that hard work is the path to national development and that there is no alternative. He urged intelligent individuals to embrace a similar work ethic.
Murthy’s earlier comments regarding the 70-hour work week sparked widespread criticism. However, he remains steadfast in his belief, linking dedication and long hours directly to India’s economic advancement.
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