“My Spouse Loves Staring At Me”: Adar Poonawalla Mocks L&T Chief’s Comment

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has weighed in on the continuing debate about work-life steadiness, advocating for the significance of high quality over the amount of labor hours. Mr Poonawalla, in a social media submit, echoed Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra’s sentiment, saying, “Sure [Anand Mahindra], even my spouse [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I’m great, she loves looking at me on Sundays. High quality of labor over amount all the time. Work life steadiness.”
Sure @anandmahindra, even my spouse @NPoonawalla thinks i’m great, she loves looking at me on Sundays. High quality of labor over amount all the time. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 12, 2025
His remark, made on X, adopted Mr Mahindra’s current remarks saying that it isn’t about working 48, 70, or 90 hours per week, however somewhat the output produced. “My spouse is great, I really like looking at her,” Mr Mahindra had mentioned, taking a dig at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s newest feedback.
Mr Subrahmanyan not too long ago sparked backlash together with his suggestion that staff ought to work 90-hour weeks, even on Sundays, to stay aggressive. He mentioned that he regretted that L&T staff weren’t engaged on Sundays, saying, “If I could make you’re employed on Sundays, I shall be extra joyful, as a result of I work on Sundays additionally.”
He additional questioned, “What do you do sitting at dwelling? How lengthy are you able to stare at your spouse? How lengthy can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the workplace and begin working.”
Mr Subrahmanyan’s feedback additionally drew criticism from different quarters, together with RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, who mocked the suggestion of a 90-hour workweek, calling it a “recipe for burnout, not success.” Mr Goenka mentioned, “Why not rename Sunday to ‘Solar-duty’ and make ‘time without work’ a legendary idea!” He added that work-life steadiness is not non-obligatory and urged folks to “work sensible, not slave.”
Former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta additionally strongly criticised Mr Subrahmanyan’s feedback, labelling them “misogynistic.” On social media, Ms Gutta questioned why spending time with one’s partner needs to be seen as an issue, asking, “Why should not he stare at his spouse… and why solely on a Sunday?”
The controversy has even drawn consideration from actor and psychological well being advocate Deepika Padukone, who known as the remarks “stunning” coming from somebody in a senior place.
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has additionally beforehand argued in favour of lengthy workweeks, suggesting that staff needs to be ready for as much as 70-hour workweeks.