California, USA: Varun Vummadi, a San Francisco-based entrepreneur and IIT graduate, has ignited fresh discussions on India's work culture with his remarks on long working hours and high salaries. In a viral post on X, he criticized Indian software engineers for hesitating to adopt a six-day workweek despite earning salaries of up to ₹1 crore.
His comments have drawn comparisons to previous statements by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who advocated for a 70-hour workweek, and L&T Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, who suggested a 90-hour workweek. While some support Vummadi’s stance, others argue that excessive work hours harm employees' well-being.
As criticism grew, Vummadi dismissed work-life balance as a "buzzword," emphasizing that success demands relentless effort. His views align with those of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has also promoted extreme work hours. The debate continues, with many professionals calling for a shift toward sustainable productivity over long hours.