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Narayana Murthy just gave some very bad advice
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There’s a meme that never fails to provide wry cheer on bad days at work: A woman trying to keep her head above water, quite literally, while the accompanying text reads, “What it feels like trying to excel in my career, raise children, text people back, drink enough water and exercise.”
It’s one that is unlikely to appeal to Narayana Murthy, whose recent advice to young IT professionals on a podcast was to work 70 hours a week to address India’s low productivity concerns and to meet the demands of momentous global changes in the coming decades. “Our culture has to change to that of highly determined, extremely disciplined and extremely hardworking people. That transformation has to come to youngsters because youngsters form a significant majority of our population at this point of time. They are the ones who can build our country, you know, with gusto,” he said on the inaugural episode of 3one4 Capital’s podcast ‘The Record’.
Three years ago, Murthy had made a similar suggestion to revive the Indian economy by asking young people to work 60 hours a week. Women — single, married, young or middle-aged — are the least likely to survive in the demographic that the Infosys founder is exhorting to greater action, but we will come to that later.
Murthy is right on many counts: Nation building is hard work and it requires discipline and determination. But a nation built on the labours of a work force struggling with high stress, low income and lower work-life balance makes for a precarious foundation. An International Labour Organisation report titled ‘Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World’, released in January this year and relying on data from just before the pandemic, found that people in South and East Asia have the highest average in weekly work hours. While the South Asian average was pegged at 49 hours per week for individual workers, the East Asian average was 48.8 hours. In contrast, North America registered 37.9 average working hours in a week and northern, southern and western Europe clocked 37.2 average working hours per week.
In developing nations, the metric of productivity places a premium on an employee’s availability over the value of his contribution. It encourages a culture of FOMO, where presence is a validation of sincerity and intent. So while developed nations such as Belgium, France and Germany (whose post World War II example Murthy evokes in his appeal) are experimenting with shorter weekly work hours, most Asian countries, including India, equate flexi-time or an employee’s need for work-life balance as a sign of lower commitment — even competence. Irrespective of the toll it takes on mental health, family life or simply one’s ability to engage, the message is clear: Shape up or ship out.
In a country where party members set up the Prime Minister as a benchmark for dedication for working 22 hours, this valorising of time spent at the workplace automatically tilts the balance away from the female workforce. A 24/7 work culture thrives on the assumption of a supervisory infrastructure to take care of all other aspects of an employee’s life, freeing him or her up to devote himself to work. It works surprisingly well for men. The packed lunches that accompany them to the workplace, the missed PTMs that can be explained away by their irreplaceability in the office, the doctors’ appointments where they don’t have to accompany elderly family members are concessions often unavailable to even the privileged among their female counterparts. It allows for unrealistic standards of professionalism, where female employees end up playing catch-up. Those who match steps learn to speak the “language of men”.
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For women, more often than not, there is little to no untethered time. If you are young and new to the workforce, it could be the disproportionate responsibility of menial tasks that come your way on the assumption that you have less of other commitments; if you are older, the cycle of chores between home and the workplace press down upon you in a relentless loop of fatigue, guilt and anxiety.
Yet, if there’s anything that the two years of Covid-19 have shown, it is that that the workplace and the way one works have changed irreversibly. That though work necessitates structure and discipline, it is entirely possible to harness the potential of individual employees in better, more balanced, and mutually equitable ways. It requires practical expectations of each other and the creation, not the assumption, of a support mechanism for men and women. In her book, My Life in Full: Work, Family and our Future (2020), former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi made a case for job flexibility and remote work, “for everyone who needs it.” She writes, “This will give families the chance to take care of home life obligations during the workday without feeling loaded with emotional consequences.’’
Now, more than ever before, work cannot be a one-way street, turning its back on everything else in its focus on future accomplishments. There are lives to be lived, relationships to be nurtured, dreams to be chased. It’s a memo lost on people like Murthy, whose own exceptional success predicates a singular, unvarying belief in how it must be approached. Nation building requires hard work, discipline and determination. But it also necessarily requires an ability to move with the times.
Let me drink some work water to that.
paromita.chakrabarti@expressindia.com
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According to recent reports, Circle to Search, a feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, might soon undergo an upgrade. Initially allowing users to copy text from selected areas, it’s now rumored to include the capability to capture and share screenshots of specific screen sections.
This enhanced functionality, observed in the latest version of Circle to Search, enables users to not only copy text but also capture and share screen images. A video shared by a tipster on X showcased this update, revealing new options of Copy and Share upon selecting an area. Even adjustments to the selected region don’t remove these options, ensuring a seamless experience. Users can either copy the image to the clipboard for further editing or share it directly through various apps.
Previously, the visual lookup feature solely facilitated text copying. While Android devices offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture for quick screenshots, it captures the entire screen, necessitating subsequent cropping. This new functionality streamlines the process, allowing users to select and share specific screen sections in just two steps.
Interestingly, Google recently addressed concerns about accidental activations of Circle to Search in a podcast featuring its developers. They acknowledged the issue and assured users of an impending fix. This indicates ongoing efforts to refine the feature for a smoother user experience.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has recently undergone another price reduction in India, marking a significant update for potential buyers. Initially introduced to the Indian market in June 2023, this smartphone received its first price adjustment in November of the same year. The base variant, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was notably listed at a price Rs. 2,000 lower than its launch price, signaling OnePlus’s commitment to providing competitive pricing to its customers.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and ships with the Android 13-based operating system. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, enhancing its photography capabilities, and supports SuperVOOC charging, ensuring rapid replenishment of its battery. The inclusion of these features positions the Nord CE 3 as a compelling option for smartphone enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and innovation.
The recent unveiling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in India marks the continuation of OnePlus’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users. Serving as the successor to the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new enhancements and features to further elevate the user experience.
When considering the revised pricing of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, it’s evident that OnePlus aims to make its devices more accessible to a wider audience. The reduction in price, particularly on platforms like Amazon and the OnePlus India website, presents an opportunity for consumers to acquire a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable rate.
Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 to understand its capabilities and appeal to potential buyers.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Price in India (Revised)
The base variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was initially launched in India at Rs. 26,999. Following its first price cut in November, the price was reduced to Rs. 24,999. Now, the same variant is available on Amazon at Rs. 22,990, representing a Rs. 2,009 reduction from its previous price. Furthermore, customers can benefit from an additional flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on ICICI and HDFC Bank cards, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 20,990.
On the OnePlus India website, the 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999, marking a Rs. 2,000 decrease from the November price of Rs. 24,999. It is worth noting that this discount is exclusively applicable to the 128GB model, as the higher-end 256GB variant is currently listed as out of stock.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Specifications and Features
Display:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, users can enjoy smooth and fluid visuals, enhancing their overall viewing experience.
Processor and Performance:
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers robust performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. With up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, users can seamlessly navigate between apps and store their multimedia content with ease.
Operating System:
The smartphone ships with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1, providing users with a clean and intuitive user interface coupled with a plethora of customization options. OxygenOS is known for its smooth performance and timely software updates, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
Camera:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 features a versatile camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) support. Accompanying this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, allowing users to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning detail and clarity. On the front, the device houses a 16-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies and video calls.
Battery and Charging:
Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers ample battery life to power through a full day of usage. Additionally, the device supports 80W wired SuperVOOC charging, enabling users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime.
Connectivity:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 supports a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Whether it’s streaming multimedia content, browsing the web, or staying connected with friends and family, users can rely on the Nord CE 3 to deliver seamless connectivity and performance.
Security:
For enhanced security, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing users to conveniently unlock their device with a simple touch. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard sensitive data and personal information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a compelling combination of performance, affordability, and innovation, making it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts in India. With its recent price reduction and competitive specifications, the Nord CE 3 presents a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new features with each iteration, the Nord CE 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional devices tailored to the needs of its users.
In its largest market, Bengaluru, ride-hailing company Namma Yatri has expanded its services to include cab-hailing, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on auto rickshaws. Namma Yatri, known for pioneering a daily subscription model as opposed to the commission-based model utilized by competitors like Ola and Uber, had initially concentrated on auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. However, it now features a distinct section on its app dedicated to booking cabs in the city. Additionally, Namma Yatri already provides cab rides in Kochi and Kolkata.
The decision to venture into cab services follows Namma Yatri’s separation from its former parent company, Justpay, and comes on the heels of a reported expansion plan announced on April 1st. The move also aligns with the broader trend observed in the industry, as both Ola and Uber have recently introduced subscription-based plans for auto-rickshaw drivers on their platforms. This strategic shift towards subscription-based models, akin to Namma Yatri’s approach, as well as that of Rapido, highlights a growing preference within the industry for alternative pricing structures beyond traditional booking fees or commissions.
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