In the ceaseless march of industrial progress, where technology promises to alleviate human drudgery, the remarks of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan jar like a discordant note in a symphony of supposed advancement. Addressing employees in a video that has sparked widespread outrage, Mr. Subrahmanyan proposed a grueling 90-hour work week, dismissed the sanctity of Sundays, and trivialized personal relationships with a flippant, patriarchal jest: “How long can you stare at your wife?” His statement is not merely controversial; it is emblematic of a regressive vision that reduces human existence to mechanical toil, disregards gender equity, and undermines the essence of what it means to live a fulfilling life.  

The Commodification of Human Labor  

Mr. Subrahmanyan’s exhortation is rooted in a utilitarian philosophy that views humans as mere components in a vast corporate machine. This ideology champions productivity above all else, stripping away the multidimensional nature of life and reducing individuals to their capacity to labor. It is the apotheosis of “hustle culture,” a modern malady that glorifies overwork while neglecting its devastating consequences.  

Decades of research expose the perils of such relentless labor. The World Health Organization has linked excessive work hours to myriad health issues, from cardiovascular disease to chronic stress. Burnout—a term that once described engine failure—has become a ubiquitous human condition, a lamentable badge of honor in workplaces that equate self-sacrifice with commitment. By advocating a 90-hour work week, Mr. Subrahmanyan champions a model that history and science have repeatedly discredited, one that prioritizes corporate gain over individual well-being and societal harmony.  

Sundays and the Wholeness of Life  

The suggestion that employees forego Sundays is a rejection of the wholeness of human existence. Life’s richness lies in its balance—a mosaic of work, leisure, family, and introspection. Sundays, for many, represent a sacred pause, a time for spiritual reflection, familial bonding, and the pursuit of passions that infuse life with meaning.  

To dismiss this is to deny the inherent need for rest and renewal. The creative spark often kindled during moments of leisure is vital not only to personal fulfillment but also to professional ingenuity. Far from being an indulgence, time away from work is an investment in human potential. Mr. Subrahmanyan’s flippant remark about “staring at one’s wife” trivializes not just marital bonds but the foundational relationships that sustain emotional health and social cohesion.  He’s forgetting that due to Narayan Meghaji Lokhande’s efforts in 1890, workers started getting a weekly holiday on Sunday.

The Patriarchal Undertones  

Equally troubling is the patriarchal assumption embedded in Mr. Subrahmanyan’s rhetoric. By imagining a male-dominated workforce with wives relegated to domestic roles, his remarks resurrect the specter of antiquated gender norms. This worldview not only marginalizes women but also fails to recognize the evolving realities of modern households, where both partners often share professional and domestic responsibilities.  This also echoes the regressive tenets of Manusmriti, an ancient Indian text that relegates women to subservience and confines them to the domestic sphere. Had Mr. Subrahmanyan been genuinely egalitarian in his worldview, he might have posed the inverse question: “How long can women stare at their husbands?”  In a society striving for gender parity, such regressive commentary does more than offend; it undermines decades of progress toward equality and inclusion.  

The Fallacy of Corporate Overreach  

Underlying Mr. Subrahmanyan’s vision is a broader trend of corporate overreach that prioritizes profit over people, treating employees as expendable resources rather than stakeholders in a shared enterprise. Yet, the premise that longer hours yield greater productivity is demonstrably flawed. Research consistently shows that overwork diminishes efficiency, increases errors, and stifles innovation.  

Furthermore, Mr. Subrahmanyan’s remarks betray a profound disconnection from the realities of India’s workforce. Over 90% of employment in India lies in the informal sector, encompassing agriculture and unregulated industries. These workers toil under harsh conditions, often without the protections or privileges afforded to their corporate counterparts. Suggesting that India’s path to development requires more labor from its formal workforce ignores the systemic inequities and entrenched hardships already borne by millions.  

Economic, scientific, and social progress is not tied to excessive work hours. The United States, a global economic leader, thrives on innovation, efficiency, and work-life balance—not a 90-hour work week as wrongly suggested by S.N. Subrahmanyan. True progress stems from nurturing creativity and well-being, not relentless toil.

A Call for Humanity  

The public outcry against Mr. Subrahmanyan’s remarks reflects an evolving societal ethos. Today, there is a growing recognition that the true measure of progress lies not in GDP growth or corporate profits but in the well-being of individuals and communities. As the world confronts crises of mental health, climate change, and inequality, the need for compassionate leadership has never been greater.  

Leaders must embrace a vision of work that enhances, rather than diminishes, life. This means fostering environments that value balance, creativity, and respect for human dignity. It means rejecting the dehumanizing ethos of endless toil and instead celebrating the richness of human experience in all its forms.  

Beyond Machines  

Mr. Subrahmanyan’s comments are not just an affront to common decency; they are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked corporate ambition. In a world increasingly dominated by machines, humanity’s greatest challenge is to preserve its essence: the ability to love, to reflect, and to find meaning beyond material achievement.  

As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving society, let us reaffirm our commitment to a future where work serves humanity, not the other way around. Let us envision workplaces that nurture, leaders who inspire, and a culture that honors the full spectrum of human life. Only then can we hope to transcend the dehumanizing vision of endless toil and embrace the profound potential of machines and men working in harmony—not as masters and slaves, but as partners in the grand endeavor of progress.  

-Mahesh Zagade, IAS(rtd)