Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy is back with a fresh take. At a recent event, he explained that parents need to create a disciplined environment at home for their children. More specifically, he mentioned that they cannot watch television while expecting their kids to study; they need to sit with their kids and study too, setting an example for them as kids tend to mirror their parents’ tendencies.
According to Moneycontrol, Narayana Murthy revealed how he and his wife, Sudha Murty, used to sit with both their kids, Rohan and Akshata, during study time. They would dedicate 3.5 hours each day to their kids’ study time. From 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM, they focused on reading and studying, while television was banned. Then again after dinner, the family went back to studies from 9 PM to 11 PM.
“My wife’s logic was, if I am watching TV, I cannot tell my children to study. So she said, I will sacrifice my TV time, and I will also study. That leadership by example is the responsibility of the parents. If the parents are going and seeing movies and then telling ‘children, no, no, you study’ (that won’t work),” Murthy said.
However, several people chose to call him out. Because, a couple of months ago, Narayana Murthy advised young professionals of the country to dedicate 70 hours to work in a week. This means, that a professional would have to work for 14 hours a day. So if young parents, who are working for 14 hours a day, dedicate 3.5 hours a day to their kids, they are left with approximately 6 hours. How do they include sleep, self-care, travel, meals and other important things in such a short period of time?
But if parents work for 72 hours as you recommend then when will they devote time to kids?
— Renuka Jain (@RenukaJain6) September 10, 2024
Don’t watch TV
Work for 14 hours a day
Don’t ask for a salary hike
Be an obedient slave of corporations
Don’t enjoy life and
Die.-Narayan Murti
इनका अलग ही चल रहा है
— The hindu wisdom (@TheHinduWisdom) September 10, 2024
Parents and kids should stop watching movies and resolve support tickets for 70 hours per week on the night shift at a low salary.
— Ishwar Singh (@IshwarBagga) September 10, 2024
It’s unrealistic to expect every parent to dedicate hours to reading or studying with their kids, especially in today’s world where many parents are juggling jobs, household responsibilities, and more. Not all families have the same resources or time. Imposing this ideal on…
— மெய் பொருள் (@arunSaysSmile) September 10, 2024
Sir, with due respect, you were working 14 hours a day for the office, 3.5 hours for your children, leaving 6.5 hours for sleeping and other routines. Hats off to you
— Hemant (@Hemant__Rathee) September 10, 2024
14 hrs Work +6 hrs Sleep +3.5 hrs Reading with Childern=23.5 hrs.
Working 70 hours a week means 14 hours/day, with weekends off. Add commuting, cooking, household chores, childcare, and just 6 hours of sleep for a healthy life—is that balance even possible?— Arkabrata Das (@i_amArko) September 11, 2024
Interesting perspective from Narayan Murthy. But isn’t it a bit unrealistic to expect every parent to mirror his level of dedication? What about parents who work multiple jobs or face other challenges?
— Navneet K Singh (@Navneet_K_Singh) September 10, 2024
While Narayan Murthy’s point is valid, not all parents have the time or flexibility to spend hours every evening with their kids. Many juggle work and other responsibilities, making it harder to maintain that level of involvement.
— Zaheer (@mezaheerahmed) September 10, 2024
On the other hand, there were some who agreed with his advice and said that it is the responsibility of parents to set the right kind of example for their kids. Here’s what they had to say:
Cultivating discipline at home is tough, but Murthy’s advice is a great reminder that it’s worth the effort.
When kids see their parents prioritizing education, they’re more likely to do the same.
— Amit Misra (@amit6060) September 10, 2024
I agree, patents have to lead the way and should not expect something from children if they are not following the same
— Amit Jalali (@jalali_amit) September 10, 2024
I agree this
And even if one parent is wasting time in movies, web series or gaming and the other invests in reading, the child will have more tendency to follow the one who’s wasting time….bcus that’s an easy attraction.
— Rajashree (@defiantsunfloer) September 10, 2024
This is so true! I remember my parents watching TV by themselves and expecting me and my sister to study, which didn’t work. You have to get involved with children to give them Graceful growth.
— Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) September 11, 2024
Do you agree with what Narayana Murthy has to say?