Sudha Murthy highlights how Narayana Murthy practises what he preaches, says he works 80-90 hours a week

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy stirred up a contentious debate by suggesting that young people should work 70 hours a week to enhance India's overall productivity.

Responding to the uproar, his wife, Sudha Murthy, confirmed that her husband, a tech entrepreneur, is a strong advocate of "real hard work" and dedicates no less than 80 to 90 hours a week himself.

At the 14th Tata Lit Fest in Mumbai, Sudha Murthy confirmed her husband's strong work ethic. When asked by the media about the ongoing debate, she noted that Narayana Murthy works 80 to 90 hours a week and that his dedication aligns with his beliefs, leading him to express his conviction.


“He has worked 80 to 90 hours a week, so he doesn’t know what less than that is. He believes in real hard work and he lived like that. Hence, he has told what he felt," Sudha Murthy said.

“People have different ways of expression. But he lived like that, he walked the talk. So, he has shared his experience," she further added.

Sudha Murthy also shared insights into the inspiration she has drawn from her entrepreneur husband. She emphasised the importance of setting clear goals, maintaining focus, and dedicating oneself to relentless effort.

In a recent interview, Narayana Murthy emphasised the need for extended work hours to elevate India's productivity, citing the country's relatively low ranking globally. He urged the younger generation to put in the extra effort, much like Japan and Germany did after World War II to compete with economic powerhouses like China.