Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, has once again voiced his strong opposition to the idea of work-life balance, expressing his dissatisfaction with the shift to a five-day work week. Speaking at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit, Murthy reiterated his belief, stating, “I don’t believe in work-life balance,” and insisted that he would “take this belief to the grave.”

In discussing the work-life balance debate in India, Murthy referenced a comment by KV Kamath, Independent Director and Non-Executive Chairman of Jio Financial Services. Kamath argued that as a developing nation with numerous challenges, India should focus on advancing rather than seeking to balance work and personal life.

Murthy reflected on his disappointment when India transitioned from a six-day to a five-day work week in 1986. He stressed that hard work is vital for the country’s progress, drawing a comparison to Prime Minister Modi, who works an impressive 100 hours a week. “The only way to show appreciation for what we have is through our work,” Murthy stated.

He also emphasized that success in India goes beyond intelligence; it requires tireless effort. Recalling his own work ethic, Murthy shared that he often worked 14-hour days, dedicating six and a half days a week to his professional commitments. He would arrive at the office by 6:30 a.m. and leave after 8:30 p.m., proud of his relentless dedication.

Murthy’s previous calls for 70-hour work weeks to accelerate India’s development have sparked ongoing debates about work-life balance and the potential negative effects such expectations may have on employee well-being, particularly in large corporations.