Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Indian ride-sharing giant Ola, has sparked controversy with his recent endorsement of a 70-hour work week, echoing Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s stance. Despite facing backlash on social media, Aggarwal reaffirmed his belief that this intensive work schedule is necessary for national economic growth and dismissed the notion of work-life balance.
Aggarwal stated, “One generation will have to do tapasya… so that we can build the number 1 country in the world, the largest economy.” He further asserted that if people enjoy their work, they will find happiness in both work and life, rendering the concept of work-life balance unnecessary.
Health Risks Associated with Long Work Hours
In light of Aggarwal’s comments, health experts have warned about the potential risks of prolonged work hours. Senior neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar from Apollo Hospitals highlighted studies linking work weeks exceeding 55 hours to an increased risk of stroke, ischemic heart disease, and premature death.
