Former CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant has urged hard work to take India to its target of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. Addressing Business Standard’s Manthan summit, Kant made it a point that India needs to inculcate a good work ethic like Japan, South Korea, and China, which have attained high economic success by emphasizing hard work.
“I firmly believe in hard work. To move from a USD 4 trillion to a USD 30 trillion economy, Indians must work hard—whether it’s 80 or 90 hours a week,” Kant said. He pointed out that such an ambitious economic target cannot be achieved through entertainment or by following the views of celebrities.
India’s economy is currently valued at approximately USD 4 trillion, and Kant emphasized the need for a shift in mindset. “It has become fashionable to talk about not working hard, but this must change. India must focus on delivering projects ahead of schedule, with world-class quality, and without cost overruns,” he added.
Touching on the topic of work-life balance, Kant believed that a well-disciplined work routine provides sufficient time for personal wellness. He described, “I work every day, exercise, and play golf, and I still manage to work hard. If you set aside just one-and-a-half hours for yourself, you’ll still have 22.5 hours in the day. There’s plenty of time to balance work and life, but it’s crucial not to normalize the idea that people shouldn’t work hard.”
Kant also stressed that India needs to improve its project delivery standards and achieve excellence without time or cost overruns. He cautioned against sending the wrong message to the younger generation, warning that no country has ever succeeded without hard work. “India cannot become a great nation without putting in the effort,” he said.
The debate on work hours reignited following remarks by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, who called for a 90-hour work week and suggested employees should even forgo Sundays. His comments sparked online outrage, including his claim that employees should spend less time at home and more in the office. “How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Come on, get to the office and start working,” Subrahmanyan was reportedly heard saying in a video address.
Earlier, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy also weighed in on the work-life balance debate, urging young Indians to adopt a 70-hour workweek, arguing that India’s low work productivity could be improved through longer hours. “India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world. My request is for youngsters to say, ‘This is my country, I want to work 70 hours a week,'” Murthy had said.
Both Kant and Murthy advocate for a culture of hard work as essential for India’s economic progress and global competitiveness.
With inputs from PTI.