Sun Dec 15 15:28:55 UTC 2024: ## Infosys Co-founder Murthy Defends 70-Hour Workweek, Calls for India’s Economic Rise
**Kolkata, India** – Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has once again defended his controversial 70-hour workweek statement, arguing that hard work is crucial for India’s economic advancement and escape from poverty. Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce centenary launch in Kolkata, a city he lauded as India’s most cultured, Murthy emphasized the need for ambitious goals to lift the nation out of widespread poverty affecting 800 million citizens.
Murthy attributed his entrepreneurial drive to a period of disillusionment during his time in Paris in the 1970s, witnessing the stark contrast between India’s struggles and the prosperity of the West. This experience led him to believe that job creation through entrepreneurship, fuelled by compassionate capitalism, is the key to national progress. He stressed the government’s limited role in entrepreneurship and highlighted the vital contribution of businesses in creating wealth, jobs, and tax revenue.
He presented a vision of “compassionate capitalism,” a model combining the strengths of capitalism with social responsibility, aiming to build a strong and respected India. He cited the productivity gap between Indian and Chinese workers as a stark reminder of the need for increased efficiency and dedication. Murthy challenged the complacency of those who prioritize comfort over the responsibility to build a better India, urging young people to dedicate their lives to realizing their potential and contributing to the nation’s rise. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of hard work in achieving the vision of India’s founding fathers and gaining global respect.
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