Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy defended the 70-hour workweek, saying young people must work hard to help India become the top global nation.
At the Indian Chamber of Commerce's centenary celebration in Kolkata, Narayana Murthy urged youth to work hard to improve India's global standing.
He said, "I said Infosys would compete with the best global companies. Comparing ourselves to the best global companies shows we Indians have a lot to do. We must aim high because 800 million Indians get free ration. Thus, 800 million Indians are poor. Who will work hard if we can't?"
The Infosys co-founder previously stated that he does not support "work-life balance." He also lamented India's 1986 shift from a six-day to a five-day workweek, which he never supported at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit in November.
He said comparing India to top global companies shows a long road ahead. He believes hard work is necessary to solve the country's problems and become a global leader.
Narayana Murthy believes poverty reduction requires employment and disposable income. Says, "I realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes."
He also stressed the importance of entrepreneurs in creating jobs and wealth to fight poverty. "Government has no role in entrepreneurship. He added that entrepreneurs build nations by creating jobs, wealth for investors, and taxes.
Narayana Murthy also believes entrepreneurship is the only way to generate disposable incomes to fight poverty. He urged Indians to work hard and avoid mediocrity to build a prosperous and respected nation.
His comments follow debate over his previous suggestion that Indian millennials work 70 hours per week. Some supported the idea of a stronger work ethic, while others thought it was too much.