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Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, sparked a debate with his advice for youngsters to work 70-hour weeks. On Monday, he reportedly clarified that no one can dictate such a commitment — it’s a personal choice that demands introspection, not public discourse.

Reflecting on his own career, Murthy shared, “I used to get to the office at 6:30 am and leave at 8:30 pm. I’ve done it for 40-odd years. That’s a fact.” Speaking after delivering the Kilachand Memorial Lecture at IMC, he added, “These are not matters for debate. They are deeply personal decisions. No one can say, ‘You should or shouldn’t do it.’”

Murthy’s remarks come amid growing discussion on work-life balance, heightened by L&T Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan’s recent call for 90-hour workweeks. Murthy framed the conversation in stark terms: the moral responsibility to uplift the nation’s poor. 

“A child in poverty can only have a better future if I work hard, work smart, generate revenue, and pay taxes,” he said.

He drew from Max Weber’s sociological work to emphasize that hard work, discipline, and ethical values drive national success. 

For India, where 60% of the population relies on free foodgrain programs, he argued, such efforts are not just personal — they’re essential for economic strength.

Murthy also addressed concerns about capitalism’s credibility, citing corporate greed as a root cause of public distrust. “We need compassionate capitalism—fairness, transparency, integrity, and putting society’s interests ahead of personal gain,” he said. 

He urged business leaders to embrace this ethos for their own survival, warning that corporations cannot thrive in societies that fail.

On questions about the lavish lifestyles of corporate leaders, Murthy declined judgment, saying, “If no law is broken, it’s their right to spend their money as they see fit.” However, he reiterated that civil societies prioritize improving life for future generations, calling on corporate India to adopt a long-term, socially responsible approach.

Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, took the stage at the Kalichand Memorial Lecture in Mumbai to share a personal journey and his vision for "Compassionate Capitalism." 

Reflecting on his life, Murthy recounted a pivotal moment in 1974—a lonely, hungry, and cold 21-hour journey in a freight train from Nis (now Serbia) to Istanbul during his hitchhiking trip back to India after working in Paris.

“The question of stark poverty and inequity in our country has been troubling me right from that day when I spent lonely, hungry, cold, angry, and introspective 21 hours in the goods compartment on a freight train from Nis in now Serbia to Istanbul, way back in 1974 on my hitchhiking trip, returning back to India after my job in Paris,” said Narayan Murthy in his speech. 

Murthy pointed to his own life and work as proof of how entrepreneurship can address poverty. "I have had some success in demonstrating the power of entrepreneurship in solving the problem of poverty through my experiment of creating Infosys,” he said. 

However, his optimism is tempered by the challenges that remain. “There is not a single day when I do not feel confused, helpless, agitated, and motivated that our leaders will find a solution to this problem."

Murthy has long been vocal about the role of discipline and hard work in driving societal change. “My parents told me the only way I could escape the orbit of poverty was through honesty, discipline, and good work ethic,” he shared. 

He stressed that putting the community’s interests above personal gains ultimately leads to personal betterment.

Murthy recently stirred controversy by suggesting that Indian youth commit to longer working hours, drawing inspiration from post-war Japan and Germany. “With a per-capita income of $2,300, India is a poor country. To become a middle-income country, it will take 16 to 18 years even with an 8% growth rate,” he said, advocating for a return to a six-day workweek to enhance productivity.

Born in 1946 in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, Murthy’s rise began with degrees in Electrical Engineering from NIE Mysore and IIT Kanpur. Rejecting lucrative jobs, he became Chief Systems Programmer at IIM Ahmedabad, working on India’s first time-sharing computing system under Professor J. Krishnayya. In 1981, he co-founded Infosys, a company that would revolutionize India’s tech industry and contribute significantly to its economic growth.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, has emerged as the top leader on the inaugural HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024, showcasing his exceptional leadership in propelling the company's global success and technological advancements. Nadella secured the top position with Microsoft's valuation reaching US$3.146 billion. Following closely are Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet (Google), and Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, with their companies valued at US$2.107 billion and US$455 billion respectively. The top 10 executives collectively hold an impressive 73% of the total value on the list, underscoring their significant impact.

The debut of the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024 illuminates the remarkable achievements of Indian-origin leaders steering the world's most valuable corporations. It highlights the crucial role of the Indian diaspora in influencing the global economic landscape. Featuring 226 individuals from 200 companies with a combined valuation of $10 trillion, this list underscores their exceptional influence across various industries.

Top 10 influential global Indians

• Satya Nadella (Microsoft) – US$3,146 billion
• Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) – US$2,107 billion
• Neal Mohan (YouTube) – US$455 billion
• Thomas Kurian (Google Cloud) – US$353 billion
• Shantanu Narayen (Adobe) – US$231 billion
• Sanjiv Lamba (Linde) – US$222 billion
• Vasant Narasimhan (Novartis) – US$216 billion
• Arvind Krishna (IBM) – US$208 billion
• Vimal Kapur (Honeywell International) – US$152 billion
• Kevin Lobo (Stryker) – US$149 billion

Some of the prominent individuals featured on the list are Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud; Shantanu Narayen, Chairman and CEO of Adobe; and Vasant Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. These leaders have been at the forefront of driving innovation in technology and healthcare within their respective companies. In an increasingly digital world, it is noteworthy that 93 companies specializing in artificial intelligence are spearheaded by leaders of Indian descent.

Makhana, also known as fox nut, is emerging as a high-potential global superfood. Rooted in Indian traditions and grown predominantly in Bihar, which produces 90% of the world’s supply, Makhana is moving beyond its cultural origins to become a lucrative industry. 

“Maybe room here to build a really large brand, an Indian brand that sells to the world. Personally, I’m hooked on Makhana,” wrote Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath in X.

Bihar’s flood-prone areas have turned into a strength for Makhana cultivation, generating three times the income compared to rice. The crop thrives naturally in water bodies, and recent innovations like the ‘Sabour Makhana-1’ variety have doubled yields and improved the edible seed ratio from 40% to 60%. 

This transformation has positioned Makhana as a critical income source for thousands of farmers.

Packed with carbohydrates, protein, and essential minerals like phosphorus and calcium, Makhana is low in fat and calories, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Its ability to support heart health, diabetes management, and weight control has driven a surge in global demand, pushing prices as high as ₹13,000/kg in international markets.

The industry has expanded significantly, with production tripling in the last decade. However, challenges persist, including labor-intensive harvesting methods and stringent export standards, with only 2% of seeds meeting global quality benchmarks. Despite this, government subsidies and technological advancements have mitigated many risks, encouraging further growth.

Kamath shared data along with his post on startups capitalizing on the momentum. Mr. Makhana generates ₹50-60 lakh monthly, Farmley secured $6.7 million in funding, and Shakti Sudha Makhana is on track to grow from ₹50 crore to ₹1000 crore by 2024. 

These companies are redefining Makhana as more than a snack, showcasing its potential as a global product.