Shark Tank India judge and People Group founder Anupam Mittal rang in the New Year with a twist, sharing his greetings with a dose of sarcasm. Mittal’s message poked fun at the ongoing 70-hour work week debate, asking all those worried about it to ‘relax’. In a post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), he wrote “All those worried about 70 hr work weeks, relax!”. Wishing his followers a Happy New year, he added “AI gonna take our jobs so we will have all the time to chill in 2025”.
The 70-hour work week debate ignited when Narayana Murthy encouraged young Indians to dedicate 70 hours a week to work, citing the work ethics of countries like Japan, South Korea, and China, where such intense dedication has driven rapid industrial and economic growth. However, critics quickly pointed out the downsides of these work cultures, including burnout, a declining quality of life, and lower fertility rates—challenges that these nations are now facing as a result of their demanding work environments.
Take a look at Anupam Mittal’s X post
Social media reactions
Commenting on Mittal’s post, one user wrote “….but let’s just hope AI doesn’t end up demanding a salary and an appraisal too😂”. “Unique way to wish New year wishes 😂😂😂,” commented another. A third jibed “That’s not really uplifting Anupam😁! But happy new year to you too 😂”.
Other poked fun saying “Narayana Murthy maybe drafting a reply 😅”. Another user said “Narayana Murthy= don’t angry me”.
Zoho CEO on Narayan Murthy’s 70-hour work week
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has shared his views on the ongoing 70-hour workweek debate sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. In a post on microblogging site X (formerly known as Twitter), Vembu emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with demographic sustainability and work-life harmony. While acknowledging the economic strides made by East Asian countries, Vemby also shed light on the human cost of their rigorous work environments. “If you look at East Asia – Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China have all developed through extreme hard work, often imposing punitive levels of work on their own people” he noted.
He also highlighted the unintended consequences of such intense work cultures, particularly sharp demographic declines and governments’ ongoing struggles to combat low birth rates. “Two questions arise: 1) is such hard work necessary for economic development? 2) is such a development even worth the price of a lonely old age for a large mass of people?” he questioned.
