"Must Work 3-Shifts For Infrastructure Growth": Narayana Murthy

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has continued to advocate for significant changes in India's work culture.

Murthy recently emphasised the importance of infrastructure growth, proposing a fundamental shift in work patterns for infrastructure workers. For faster infrastructure growth, he proposed three shifts rather than one.

Murthy highlighted key aspects critical for Bengaluru's growth in the next 5-10 years during a conversation with Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, at the Bengaluru Tech Summit. He outlined three critical factors: the establishment of English medium schools to cultivate talent for the city's software industry, a focus on infrastructure and prompt government decision-making. 

Murthy urged the government to expedite ongoing projects such as the Electronic City metro in Bengaluru in order to boost infrastructure development. He advocated for longer work shifts in the infrastructure sector, citing how many successful nations work two or more shifts.

"People in those infrastructure industries must work three shifts, they should not work just one shift, come at 11 am and then go at 5 pm. At least on the Electronic City Road, that is what I see, I may be completely wrong," Murthy said. "But in other nations that have high aspirations people work two shifts. I would return around midnight (when abroad), and I have seen people working as if they are going to disappear tomorrow morning. I cannot vouch for three shifts, but I can definitely vouch for two shifts."

"We want to be better than all those countries. Why don't we say our people - work three shifts? Ask them what are their requirements to complete the stretch by their workers in three shifts - provide that. If we do that, I have no doubt that why India cannot grow faster than China," he said.

Murthy encouraged a cultural shift in India's work ethic by drawing comparisons to successful global practises, arguing that striving for three shifts in infrastructure work could significantly contribute to the nation's growth.