In one of the podcast interviews, a recent comment from Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy suggesting that youngsters should put in 70 hours of work per week to build the nation has sparked a discussion. However, Murthy’s statement makes me believe that putting in hard work can take us far, nurturing personal growth and benefiting not just individuals but also organisations and nations. After all, hard work has never harmed anyone.
When considering the benefits of a 70-hour workday, it’s critical to go beyond the hours specified in Narayana Murthy’s statement. Many people don’t seem to understand his statements’ underlying “emotion” and intention. He may have been emphasising the possibility that exponential development may not be possible with the amount of “hard work” experts put in. Understanding the underlying significance of his message is more important than obsessing over the precise 70-hour estimate. Notably, he frequently worked 80–90 hours a week, which speaks volumes about his devotion and passion to his work.
Furthermore, Indians are accustomed to working longer hours. According to recent research, Indians are regarded as some of the world’s most prolific workers because of their strong work ethic. Out of 163 countries, they presently rank sixth in the world for overall work ethic. Based on the most recent statistics from the International Labour Organisation from April 2023, the average weekly working hours per employed individual in India is 47.7 hours, which is used to generate this ranking.
Students Are Leading By Examples
Murthy pointed out that India’s work productivity is lower than that of many other countries. So, if we work hard, the productivity will increase. To support Murthy’s vision and to drive change in India’s work culture, Indian students are already setting an example by studying and working overseas, dedicating themselves to a gruelling schedule of 12 to 14 hours a day.
They attend college in the morning and work after their classes are over. This arrangement reflects the determination and resilience of students who strive to make the most of their overseas education experience while also contributing to the economy. Young individuals ought to have dedication, enthusiasm, conviction, and a steadfast commitment to achieve success in life with guidance from overseas education consultants in Gurugram.
Learning from Icons for a Productive Nation
We celebrate the achievements of numerous successful individuals who have diligently worked to attain their stature. Among them are luminaries such as APJ Abdul Kalam, Ratan Tata, Amitabh Bachchan, Virat Kohli, and many others.
Their relentless pursuit of excellence is mirrored in the tireless efforts of leaders like our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, known for his dedication and investing extensive hours to drive progress. Our prime minister works 14 to 16 hours a day.
However, merely celebrating their achievements isn’t enough. It’s really important to learn important lessons from their lives. They didn’t become successful just because they were naturally good at things. They worked really hard by pushing their boundaries and never stopped trying new things. Their stories show us the way, telling us to go beyond what feels easy and make a place where we work hard and come up with new ideas.
As a country, our progress depends on more than just honouring these important people. We need to follow their example—facing tough things, working hard all the time, and always trying to get better. When we go beyond what feels easy, we make our society better and help our country succeed.
Invest in Personal Growth
It is not always about working long hours for your organisation only, but for yourself too. Rather than sleeping away a significant amount of time of the day in the name of work-life balance, why not spend time developing a skill or improving your relationship with your loved ones?
By doing so, you will be utilising your waking hours wisely, getting better at time management and leading a more fulfilling and well-rounded life.
Takeaway
In embracing our leaders’ vision, the youth can lead the charge in transforming India’s work culture. Working 70 hours a week is a wake-up call to the inefficiencies that plague our nation. This commitment to dedication, to making every hour count, will help bridge the productivity gap and drive India towards the progress it deserves.
Dismiss the notion that hard work is a health hazard; it’s not the grind that’s the silent killer, but the unfulfilled dreams plotting behind the scenes. So, work hard and dream big – it’s a killer combo but in a good way.
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are personal and should not be attributed to any organisation or entity.
