70 Hours A Week Work: Doctor Responds To Dr Narayana Murthy, ‘Wonder Why Young People Get Heart Attacks’

By OB Bureau On Oct 29, 2023

New Delhi: Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy has stirred up a nationwide controversy with his suggestion of 70 hours a week schedule for the youth to help India compete with developed countries like China.

Quick to respond, people started highlighting that IT companies in India have simply become sweatshops where employees are expected to work for 70 hours a week but the salary is kept the same. Many pointed out that the starting salary package of Infosys is still Rs 3.5 lakh per annum and hasn’t changed much in decades despite inflation, pandemic and the general increase of costs of living.

Now, Bengaluru-based cardiologist, Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, also weighed in on the issue and revealed the long-term health implications of having a work schedule consisting of unreasonable working hours.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Dr Krishnamurthy broke down the amount of time spent by an average professional dividing the day between work and other commitments. He wrote that such inhumane working hours can create a whole generation with a host of heart-related comorbidities.

“24 hours per day (as far as I know) If you work 6 days a week – 12h per day Remaining 12h 8 hours sleep 4 hours remain In a city like Bengaluru 2 hours on the road 2 hours remain – Brush, poop, bathe, eat No time to socialise No time to talk to family No time to exercise No time for recreation Not to mention companies expect people to answer emails and calls after work hours also. Then wonder why young people are getting #Heartattacks?” read his post.

24 hours per day (as far as I know)
If you work 6 days a week – 12h per day
Remaining 12h
8 hours sleep
4 hours remain
In a city like Bengaluru
2 hours on road
2 hours remain – Brush, poop, bathe, eat
No time to socialise
No time to talk to family
No time to exercise… https://t.co/dDTKAPfJf8

— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) October 27, 2023

In the comment section, the doctor urged the government to double the number of jobs so that unemployment will be curbed and the youth can enjoy a work-life balance.

Dr Krishnamurthy’s post has accumulated more than 888,000 views and 700,000 likes.