“Comedian’s Hilarious Breakdown”: Only 52 Days Left in a Year with 70-Hour Work Week!

Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy stirred controversy when he suggested that young people should work 70 hours a week to boost India’s productivity. This statement sparked a national debate, with some harsh criticism and others in agreement. Notable business leaders also weighed in on the issue, while the internet buzzed with jokes and memes.

Comedian Vivek Muralidharan added humor to the debate by breaking down the intensive work schedule. He humorously calculated the number of hours a person would spend working and the remaining time for “everything else.” According to his calculation, people would have just 24 hours per week for themselves, which translates to only 52 days per year.

Some found his comedy amusing, while others highlighted that commute time to the office would further reduce the little time left for personal activities. One user expressed that the situation is more sad than hilarious. Another user pointed out that working 70 hours a week might benefit millionaires aiming to become billionaires but not the working-class. They felt that for the average worker, it would mean the same salary without significant gains. Some criticized the idea, equating it to modern-day slavery. Commute time was another concern raised, with one user mentioning the hours spent traveling to the office, leaving only a few hours of balance. Humorously, someone commented that weekends had left the chat.

Narayana Murthy appeared on a podcast, reiterating that India’s work productivity is among the lowest globally and encouraged the youth to contribute to building a culture that can help India compete effectively on the global stage. He drew parallels with Japan and Germany, two countries that extended working hours after World War II to rebuild their economies.

However, Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, a cardiologist based in Bengaluru, expressed concerns that such inhumane working hours could lead to a generation with numerous heart-related health issues. This debate on work hours and productivity continues to generate diverse opinions and discussions in India.