Narayana Murthy faces backlash for parenting remarks on social media; users say, "after working 72 hours a week, there’s barely time left to have babies…”

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has recently come under scrutiny for comments on parenting, sparking conversations on social media about work-life balance. Murthy suggested that parents need to cultivate discipline at home to encourage their children's academic focus. However, his earlier remarks about employees working 70 hours a week for nation-building led to a wave of criticism, with many questioning how overworked parents can also be expected to spend quality time with their children.

During an event in Bengaluru on September 9, Narayana Murthy emphasised the importance of leading by example at home.He shared that both he and his wife, Sudha Murty, dedicated over three hours each day to reading with their children, Akshata and Rohan Murty, during their school years. He mentioned that his wife consciously sacrificed her TV time to set an example for their children.
"My wife’s philosophy was simple: if I am watching TV, I cannot ask my children to study. So, she decided to give up her TV time and instead focus on reading and studying alongside the children," Murthy shared while speaking at the launch of the 13th edition of Pearson's book Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt.


Murthy’s remarks quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where users voiced mixed reactions. Many mocked his suggestion of parents spending three to four hours daily with their children, especially in light of his previous statement urging employees to work 70 hours a week for the sake of national progress.
One user, Renuka Jain, sarcastically commented, “But if parents work 72 hours a week as you recommend, when will they have time for their kids?”

Another user attempted to break down Murthy’s schedule. “Sir, with due respect, you were working 14 hours a day, then 3.5 hours with your children. That leaves only 6.5 hours for sleep and daily routines. Hats off to you.”
In a more humorous take, Aman, another user, joked, “Sir, after working 72 hours a week, there’s barely time left to have babies, let alone take maternity or paternity leave!”
Amid the satire, some users presented a more nuanced critique. One user highlighted that not all parents have the luxury to dedicate such extended time to their children. “It’s unrealistic to expect every parent to dedicate hours daily to reading with their kids, especially in today’s world where many are juggling multiple jobs and household responsibilities. Not every family has the same resources or time,” they wrote.

Murthy sparked controversy last year by stating that young professionals should put in 70 hours a week to boost national productivity. In early 2023, he also drew attention for criticising Kareena Kapoor Khan, claiming she ignored her fans on a flight. He emphasised that celebrities have a duty to acknowledge the support they receive from their fans.
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