Wed Feb 26 14:15:37 UTC 2025: ## AIIMS Director Defends Long Working Hours Amidst Concerns Over Reduced Self-Care
**New Delhi, [Date]** – Following a government survey revealing a significant drop in Indians’ self-care time, Dr. M Srinivas, Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has defended the practice of working long hours. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Dr. Srinivas stated that working 15 or even 18 hours a day is acceptable provided the individual enjoys their work and their body can handle the workload.
He emphasized that job satisfaction is key; even six hours of work can be stressful if one is unhappy. Dr. Srinivas, who maintains a strict diet and exercise routine including yoga and walks, argued that the number of hours worked is less important than the need for the work and the pleasure derived from it. “If we have to build the nation, we have to work more,” he said, adding that “there is no problem as long as the body takes it.”
The AIIMS director’s comments come on the heels of a Time Use Survey highlighting a concerning decrease in time spent on self-care activities such as sleep and exercise among Indians. While he acknowledges the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Srinivas believes that passionate engagement in work, even for extended periods, can be fulfilling and beneficial, effectively making work “entertainment”. He stressed that prolonged work hours are only justified when both physical capability and job satisfaction are present.
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