Sridhar Vembu, an Indian billionaire business magnate and the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Zoho Corporation, has called on Indians to prioritize developing technological capabilities within India rather than seeking validation through achievements abroad.

Pointing to East Asian economies such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China, Vembu argued that these countries have developed through a hardworking culture that has contributed to their economic growth,

Sridhar Vembu reignited the 70-hour work week debate first sparked by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. In a long post on X, he said, “The rationale behind the 70 hour work week is 'it is necessary for economic development'.

He contrasted India's path with America's long-standing reliance on imported talent, advocating for a model that nurtures local skills to achieve sustainable growth.

Vembu believes that a balanced work-life approach should be the norm for the majority, leading to both personal well-being and broad economic development

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu called on Indians to prioritize developing technological capabilities within India rather than seeking validation through achievements abroad. His comments came amid an ongoing debate about Indian immigration and talent retention.

Rejecting the idea of a 70-hour workweek, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has warned that such a work culture can lead India towards “demographic suicide” along the lines of certain Asian countries. Vembu said India does not need to replicate the model through which China achieved economic success.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has offered an alternative viewpoint that advocates for sustainability and balance in the contentious discussion surrounding workplace culture that was triggered by recent remarks made by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has brought the spotlight back to the debate on a 70-hour workweek, a concept earlier proposed by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. He shared his perspective in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and stated,

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu weighs in on the 70-hour workweek debate, highlighting the balance between economic growth and work-life balance. Using East Asia as an example, he emphasizes the demographic consequences of intense work cultures and suggests only a small percentage of the population needs to drive themselves hard for economic development.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu weighed in on Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's call for a 70-hour workweek, emphasizing the need for economic growth balanced with work-life harmony and demographic sustainability.