A sharp defense of the work ethic that built modern India comes from Nishit Kumar, MD of the Center for Social and Behavioral Change Communications, a Section 8 not-for-profit public limited company.
Responding to L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan's criticism of a 90-hour work week proposal, Kumar urged younger generations to rethink their stance on the culture of hustle and recognize the sacrifices of those who came before them.
In a powerful post aimed at Millennials, Gen Z and Gen A, Kumar wrote, “You can laugh all you want at Mr. Subrahmanya's comment. You were not born in India where we – he and I – were born. You don't know what it took to build institutions.
He paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by slow-moving, pre-digital India.
“In 1984, I applied for a landline number. In 1992, I received a letter that my landline was approved,” he recounted. He highlighted the relentless determination of a generation working on weekends and holidays to create opportunities for the future.
“It is our generation that paved the way for Indians to grow in IT and medicine worldwide. You laugh at people like Narayana Murthy and Subramanya who built and ran world class institutions. Let's see where you take India,” Kumar remarked.
While he acknowledges the importance of work-life balance, Kumar criticizes the lack of context in dismissing past work ethics.
“Nobody wants a culture of hustle to be the norm. Work-life balance is excellent and worth ensuring. But laughing at the work ethic that built the country's great institutions shows little understanding of what India was 30 years ago.
Kumar cited outstanding examples of dedication and efficiency. Reliance's Patalganga plant was completed in half the projected time and ITC Maurya in Delhi was built in under 12 months.
He also referred to Ratan Tata's reflection on the work ethic in India: “In India, my senior team would not go home for a week during a crisis. But in the West, no one can be taken to work after lunch on Friday.”
He concluded with a subtle observation: “Before you laugh at our senior professionals, think for a moment. Remember, the workers who build the roads, metros and shopping malls you enjoy don't have the luxury of a 5-day week either.