‘Dear Millennials, Gen Z and Gen A…’: Nonprofit leader’s defense of 90-hour workweek is what ‘built India’

A powerful defense of the work ethic that built modern India came from Nishit Kumar, managing director of the Center for Social Communication and Behavior Change, a Section 8 non-profit public limited company.

Responding to criticism of the 90-hour work week proposal by L&T Chairman S N Subramanian, Kumar urged the younger generations to rethink their stance on hustle culture and acknowledge the sacrifices of those who came before them.

Addressing Millennials, Gen Z and Gen A in a powerful post, Kumar wrote: “You can laugh all you want at Mr. Subrahmanya’s statement. You guys were not born in the India he and I were born in. You have no idea what it takes to build institutions.”

He painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by India, which was slower in the pre-digital era.

“In 1984, I applied for a landline; In 1992, I received a message that my landline was blocked. He emphasized the relentless determination of the generation that works on weekends and holidays to create opportunities for the future.

“It was our generation that paved the way for Indians to grow in IT and medicine across the world. You laugh at people like Narayana Murthy and Subrahmanya, who have built and supported world-class institutions. Let’s see where it takes India,” Kumar commented.

While he acknowledged the importance of work-life balance, Kumar criticized the lack of context when dismissing past work ethics.

“No one wants hustle culture to be the norm. Work-life balance is a wonderful thing and worth ensuring. But mocking the work ethic that built the country’s great institutions shows little understanding of what India was like 30 years ago.”

Kumar cited amazing examples of commitment and competence. Reliance’s Patalganga plant was completed in half the time expected, and ITC’s Maurya plant in Delhi was built in less than 12 months.

He also noted Ratan Tata’s thinking about work ethics in India: “In India, my big team didn’t go home for a week during the crisis. But in the West, you can’t make anyone work after lunch on a Friday.

He concluded on a sharp note: “Before you laugh at our senior professionals, think for a moment. And remember, the workers who build the roads, metros, and malls you enjoy don’t get the luxury of working 5 days a week either.