‘My wife loves staring at me’

Image supply: Cyrus Poonawalla Group

The work-life steadiness debate has gained contemporary momentum after outstanding enterprise leaders voiced differing opinions on social media. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, backed Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra’s name for prioritising high quality over amount in work hours.

In a light-hearted submit on X, Poonawalla stated, “Yes [Anand Mahindra], even my wife [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always. Work-life balance.” This got here after Mahindra responded to feedback by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who advocated for 90-hour workweeks, together with Sundays.

Yes @anandmahindra, even my wife @NPoonawalla thinks i’m great, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of labor over amount at all times. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 12, 2025

Subrahmanyan confronted criticism for questioning the aim of staying at residence and commenting, “How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”

The remarks had been broadly criticised. RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka referred to as the suggestion of 90-hour workweeks a “recipe for burnout, not success,” quipping that Sundays would possibly as effectively be renamed “Sun-duty.”

Former badminton star Jwala Gutta slammed the feedback as “misogynistic,” questioning why spending time with a partner ought to be seen negatively. Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone additionally expressed shock, emphasising the significance of balanced views from leaders.

While Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has supported lengthy work weeks prior to now, Poonawalla and Mahindra’s stance has highlighted a rising name for smarter work practices that guarantee well-being.