‘ My Wife Loves Staring At…’ Adar Poonawalla’s Dig At L&T CMD Subrahmanyan Comment

A raging debate among Indian business leaders about work-life balance has gained momentum with Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla siding with industrialist Anand Mahindra in opposing L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan's comments on working long hours, including Sundays.

Subrahmanyan’s remarks, from an undated viral video on Reddit, implied that employees should sacrifice personal time for work. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays also," he said.

He also questioned the importance of family time, stating, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”
 

These comments have sparked widespread criticism for promoting a workaholic culture while trivializing family and personal time.

Mahindra and Poonawalla Strike Back
Industrialist Anand Mahindra rejected Subrahmanyan’s work ethic in a lighthearted but firm response. Speaking in a recent chat, Mahindra said, “My wife is wonderful, and I love staring at her.”

Backing Mahindra’s stance, Adar Poonawalla posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “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.”

Their comments resonated with many, sparking discussions about the importance of work-life balance in India’s corporate culture.

L&T Issues a Clarification
Facing backlash, L&T defended Subrahmanyan’s remarks in a statement emphasizing the company’s commitment to nation-building. “At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities," the statement read.

It added, “The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. We remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward.”