Harsh Goenka, Chairman of the RPG Group, recently called Gautam Adani’s perspective on work-life balance “interesting.” In a social media post, Goenka shared a video of the Adani Group Chairman discussing his views, which have sparked widespread attention and debate.
Work-Life Balance
In the video, Gautam Adani emphasizes that work-life balance is subjective and should not be universally defined. “Your idea of work-life balance should not be imposed on me, and my idea shouldn’t be imposed on you,” he stated. Adani suggested that the key lies in enjoying one’s work, adding humorously, “If you spend eight hours with your family, biwi bhaag jayegi (your wife will run away).”
Adani’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions on extended work hours, initiated by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s call for a 70-hour workweek. Murthy’s suggestion has drawn both support and criticism, with proponents like Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal calling the concept of work-life balance “influenced by the West.”
Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan added fuel to the debate by proposing a 90-hour workweek, including Sundays, to boost competitiveness. His comments—questioning the value of time spent at home—drew sharp reactions.
Mixed Reactions from Industry Leaders
Opinions on the topic remain divided. While Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu supported the rationale behind long working hours for economic growth, Rajiv Bajaj of Bajaj Auto stressed that quality of work should take precedence over hours. Meanwhile, Namita Thapar of Emcure Pharmaceuticals argued that the expectations for founders and employees must be differentiated.
Adani’s humorous yet reflective remarks underscore a broader debate about individual preferences and workplace culture. As industries grapple with economic demands and evolving employee expectations, the conversation around work-life balance continues to evolve, offering diverse perspectives on how to achieve productivity and personal fulfillment.