Shark Tank's Namita Thapar challenges Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's 70-hour workweek advice, says, 'those who...'

The debate surrounding the 70-hour workweek has recently gained significant attention in India, reignited by comments from two prominent figures of Shark Tank India—Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal. Their heated exchange on the topic, aired during an interview with Humans of Bombay, has captured the attention of many, further fueling the conversation over work-life balance and productivity in India.
 
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, described the fixation on long hours as "a big lie being told to this generation." Thinking back to his early days of working 16-hour shifts in the United States, Mittal argued that strategy and effort, not time, are what lead to success. “Founders like me have significant financial stakes and can afford to work around the clock, but employees cannot,” she said.

She went on to say that requiring workers to labour nonstop can have detrimental effects on their physical and mental well-being. Thapar clarified that although she put in long hours to assist in taking Emcure public, workers shouldn't be held to the same standards because they don't have the same financial potential.

As cited, he pointed to his company's hybrid strategy, which he said raised productivity by 30%. He said that "work-life balance is destroying a whole generation" and argued in favour of "work-life harmony." According to Mittal, young professionals should challenge themselves early in their careers to develop their character and produce remarkable outcomes.

Executive Director - India Business, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Namita Thapar retaliated, calling Mittal's argument a 'crock of bullsh*t.' Thapar maintained that there are fundamental differences between the realities faced by entrepreneurs and employees.

This debate stems from Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's for India's young to embrace a 70-hour workday in order to increase productivity and compete internationally. While Thapar argues for reasonable limitations and emphasises the human cost of overwork, Mittal advocates pushing boundaries for achievement.