Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty has spoken for the first time about her husband Narayana Murthy‘s controversial suggestion that young Indians should consider working 70 hours a week to boost productivity. In an interview on NDTV’s “India Through the Eyes of Its Icons,” Sudha Murty reflected on the early days of Infosys and the sacrifices that went into building the company.
Hard work behind Infosys’ success
Sudha Murty emphasized that Infosys’ success was not the result of a “magic wand” but rather a combination of sheer hard work, luck, and being in the right place at the right time. She revealed that during the company’s formative years, Narayana Murthy and his colleagues often worked 70 hours or more per week to turn their vision into reality. “It couldn’t have been possible otherwise,” she stated.
“There was no “magic wand” that could make Infosys “so large”. It was sheer hard work, part of luck, part of the correct timing or in the correct place, everything is there,” Murty told NTDV.
Balancing personal and professional life
Addressing the personal sacrifices involved, Sudha Murty shared that she made a conscious decision to support her husband’s dedication to Infosys. “I told him to take care of Infosys, and I would take care of the family,” she said. She chose not to complain about his absence, recognising that he was working on something larger. During this time, she managed the household, raised their children, and even taught computer science at a college.
Sudha Murty also highlighted that such dedication is not unique to her husband, noting that professionals in fields like journalism and medicine often work long hours. She stressed the importance of passion in one’s work, saying, “If you are passionate about your work, then your partner should support it.”
Reflecting on their journey, Sudha Murty described their relationship as one of mutual support. “Behind every successful woman, there’s an understanding man,” she said, adding that while she supported Narayana Murthy during his demanding years, he now supports her in her work as a philanthropist and Rajya Sabha member.
Sudha Murty’s remarks come months after Narayana Murthy’s suggestion sparked widespread debate on work-life balance and productivity.