Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has once again stirred debate about work-life balance. This time, he referenced China’s notorious 996 work culture (working 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week) and suggested that long hours are key to progress. And then it didn’t take long for the internet to jump in with criticism and memes spreading side by side. But things got even more interesting when a cardiologist openly took a dig at Murthy by turning the conversation towards the personal cost of extreme work hours.
He pointed out that a 72-hour work week could contribute to “inability to conceive” since, in his words, “people wouldn’t have any energy left anyway.”
A Doctor Takes A Dig At 72-Hour Work Weeks
The conversation started when podcaster Dilip Kumar shared
insights on X (formerly Twitter) about the booming IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) market in India.
“I think IVF is set to be a massive business in India. Indira IVF does around Rs 1500 crore in revenues. Seeing quite a few new companies in this space pitching to us,” he wrote.
He pointed out rising infertility due to lifestyle changes, delayed marriages, pollution and increasing maternal age. He also noted that better medical facilities, declining social stigma and growing disposable incomes have made fertility treatments more accessible.
“Medical tourism continues to expand due to lower costs and high success rates. India is increasingly recognised for better clinics and skilled fertility experts,” Dilip noted.
“When hope becomes accessible, demand is infinite, especially for a country chasing growth,” he concluded.
I think IVF is set to be a massive business in India. Indira IVF does around 1500 cr revenues. Seeing quite a few new companies in this space pitching to us. Reasons-
1) Rising rates of infertility due to changing lifestyles, delayed marriages, pollution and increased age at…— Dilip Kumar (@kmr_dilip) November 18, 2025
Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, Director and Lead Cardiologist at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), joined the thread with a cheeky remark aimed at Murthy’s 72-hour work week.
“Less frequent sexual intercourse, especially around ovulation due to lack of knowledge of basic biology, is still one of the major reasons for inability to conceive, I think. (Apart from the reasons mentioned in the original tweet) If a 72-hour work week becomes the norm, I don’t think people would have any energy left anyway,” he said.
Less frequent sexual intercourse especially around ovulation due to lack of knowledge of basic biology, is still one of the major reasons for inability to conceive I think. (Apart from the reasons mentioned in the original tweet)
If 72-hour work week becomes the norm, I dont… https://t.co/tnQ4UClDh4— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) November 18, 2025
How People Responded Online
The doctor’s remark immediately grabbed attention online, and soon people began sharing their thoughts.
One user joked, “72-Hour Work Week is the new contraceptive that some vested interests actually want and are actively pushing.”
Another added, “That’s too weak. I am not saying a 72-hour work week should be the norm… but it’s not too much.”
Narayan Murthy’s Perspective On Long Working Hours
In an interview with Republic TV, Murthy explained why he believes hard work drives progress. “No individual, no community, no country has ever come up without hard work,” he remarked.
Murthy further described a visit by Catamaran senior and middle-level staff to China’s tier 1, 2 and 3 cities to understand the real work culture.
“They stayed in tier 3 kind of hotels because we wanted to understand the real China. And you know there is a saying there, 9,9, 6. You know what it means? 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week. And that is 72 hours a week,” the Infosys founder added.
Murthy also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for nearly 100 hours a week and said this could serve as an example for young working professionals.
