L&T chief SN Subrahmanyan’s comment about a
90-hour work week
and “How long can you stare at your wife” has sparked discussions online. Anand Mahindra has now jumped into the debate emphasising the quality of work instead of the quantity of work. In an interview with Firstpost, the
Mahindra Group
chairman said “I don't want it to be about time and quantity. You should ask me what the quality of my work is. Don't ask me how many hours I work”. He also stated “My wife is wonderful and I love staring at her”.
Mahindra is one of India’s most popular business leaders on social media, boasting over 11.4 million followers on X.
Anand Mahindra reveals why he is on X
During the interview, he was asked how much time he dedicates to social media. Mahidnra responded: “I am on X not because I am lonely. My wife is wonderful. I love staring at her. I spend more time (with her). I am not here to make friends. I am here because people don't understand it is an amazing business tool. On one platform, I get feedback from 11 million people”.
Gadgets Now Awards 2024: Celebrate the power of innovation and vote your favorite gadgets
Mahindra also shared how he manages to keep up with his social media presence despite his hectic schedule. He said: “I am often asked by people on social media how much time I have. I am also asked whether I have an office that manages my account. Everytime I get into the timeline, I get comments like, 'Sir, why are you on Twitter?' and 'why are you wasting time?'”.
The L&T chairman controversy
Mahindra’s remarks come at a time when SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), stirred controversy with statements advocating for extreme work hours. Subrahmanyan suggested employees should work up to 90 hours a week, reportedly saying, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?”.
The controversy deepened after a video circulated online in which Subrahmanyan questioned the value of leisure time. In the video, he said, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.” These remarks sparked a backlash on social media, with many calling them tone-deaf and dismissive of personal lives.
English (US) ·