Narayana Murthy's 11-hour Ticketless Journey For Sudha Murty Has Internet Asking, 'No 70 Hour Rule?'

In a recent revelation, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy took a trip down memory lane, recalling the time he embarked on an 11-hour train journey without a ticket, all to escort his wife Sudha Murty. The billionaire animatedly shared this escapade with CNBC-TV18, humorously attributing it to his hormones “kicking in” during that youthful phase.

“Those days, I was, whatever, in love. Well, I should say what somebody has said… you kunow what I am talking about. The hormones would be kicking in… you know how it is,” he explained, prompting a blush and a facepalm from his 73-year-old wife.

While the story of the seemingly ‘simple’ couple breaching conventional norms in the name of love has grabbed headlines, it has also triggered online jests. Netizens couldn’t resist poking fun at Murthy, considering his well-known advocacy for a 70-hour workweek, a philosophy seemingly overlooked during his spontaneous train escapade.

Also Read: Two Months to Live: Comedian’s Hilarious Breakdown of Narayana Murthy’s 70 Hours Philosophy

The trolls wasted no time flooding in after this revelation. One user humourously quipped, “That’s a loss of revenue for railways and billing hours… Tab 70 hours ka rule nahi tha kya???” Another added with a smirk, “Did he work 70 hours that week? Just wondering,” while a third playfully teased, “That’s only 59 of the 70 hours designated for that week. How unproductive that week must have been, would’ve cause significant financial stress to the company I suppose.”

In a fit of frustration, a fourth person exclaimed, “How do I unsubscribe from Narayana Murthy facts?”

Ever since Mr. Murthy encouraged young professionals to embrace a 70-hour workweek, he has unwittingly become the subject of widespread jokes, criticised for promoting a seemingly capitalistic and impractical approach that falters when the need for work-life balance arises.

Even in their recent biography, ‘An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy,’ authored by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and published by Juggernaut Books, the couple delves into their relationship, offering readers a captivating glimpse into their shared journey. The book also unveils the family’s challenges as Narayana Murthy dedicated ‘extensive’ time to building Infosys, leaving Sudha Murty and their children, Rohan and Akshata Murty, yearning for his presence.

During one poignant moment, Rohan Murty confronted his father, posing the question, “Who do you love more — me and Akshata, or Infosys?” Narayana Murthy, taken aback, asserted, “Of course, I love you both the most.” However, the book suggests that neither Rohan nor Akshata Murty was entirely convinced, further questioning the essence of his ‘work-life’ imbalance.

Also Read: Harsh Goenka Wants Narayana Murthy to Discuss 70-hour Work Week With Orry, Internet Ready to ‘Live’

Thus, in an era where he himself grappled with such an ‘imbalance’ while championing the 70-hour workweek, it’s no surprise that he continues to be a target for online jests and trolling.