Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has a keen insight into the work-life balance debate and the 70-hour work week. The industrialist said that one feels balance when doing the things one loves to do, while adding to life becomes simple when one accepts the fact of being mortal.

“Work-life balance should not be imposed on me, and my family-life balance should not be imposed on you. For example, someone spends four hours with family and finds joy in it, or if someone else spends eight hours and enjoys it, that’s their balance However, if you spend eight hours there. the woman will be happy (the woman will run away),” observed the industrialist.

He added that children also notice that one does not have a world outside of their family and work and take note of it.

“Your work life balances out when you do things you love to do… For us, whether it’s family or work, we don’t have a world outside of it… Our kids notice and take it too note. this… No one has come here permanently When one understands this, life becomes simple,” said Adani.

Adani’s comment comes amid a debate sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy after she pitched for a 70-hour week so that India could compete with advanced economies.

Defending his 70-hour work week comment, Murthy said at the centenary launch of the Indian Chamber of Commerce that Indians have a lot going for them when compared to the best global companies.

“We have to raise our aspirations because 800 million Indians are getting free rations. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?” Murthy said.

Also, Adani is not alone in questioning Murthy’s 70-hour work week advice. Emcure Pharmaceuticals CEO Namita Thapar said in a recent interview that there is a big difference in the situation of founders and regular employees.

She also said that founders like her have large financial stakes in their companies, hence the willingness to put in long hours. Thapar further said that this is not feasible for regular employees and there needs to be a fixed number of working hours for them.

He also believes the idea of ​​working long hours for regular employees is problematic because of the toll it can take on their physical and mental health.