Namita Thapar Addresses Vembu on Early Marriage and Work Hours

Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharma, responded to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu’s assertion that young individuals ought to have children in their 20s rather than delay it. She pointed out that influential leaders should consider the statistics surrounding women, particularly regarding anemia and their participation in the workforce. Thapar also referenced the comments made by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested a 72-hour work week.

Thapar stressed that individuals in prominent positions carry a significant responsibility to voice important issues. She expressed her disbelief at hearing the advice to “marry in your 20s,” which she found comparable to the notion of working an extensive 70-hour week.

“If you are so fixated on numbers, I would recommend two critical statistics you could address next time: 1. 57 percent of women experience anemia, and 2. Fewer than 20 percent of women are part of the workforce. Both of these figures have remained stagnant for years. I hope to hear leaders fulfil their responsibility by addressing these pressing issues,” she remarked, sharing a video of her commentary on the subject.

Vembu’s comments were a response to entrepreneur Upasana Kamineni Konidela, who recently spoke about the importance of financial independence for women, recommending egg freezing as a vital safeguard.

Influence and Responsibilities of Leaders

Thapar highlighted the obligation of influential figures to engage with relevant topics. Just moments prior, she had been surprised to encounter the concept of “marriage in your 20s,” drawing a parallel to Murthy’s idea of a 72-hour work week.

Critique of Extended Work Hours

In a recent interview, Murthy elaborated on the notion of a 72-hour work week, referencing a Chinese saying about the 9-9-6 work schedule: working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.

In her video, addressing Vembu’s notion of duty, Thapar noted that the individuals most negatively affected by this so-called duty are women. “Let me provide some context. From the age of 11, women begin to lose blood for seven days each month, then face the challenges of pregnancy. They often receive labels like ‘absentee’ or ‘selfish’ if they do not prioritise their children. By the time perimenopause arrives, women may endure a decade of distress. What about our responsibility towards our health, our aspirations, and our well-being?” she pointedly questioned.

“If that leads to later marriages, so be it. Why are these leaders fixating on certain numbers? We should be discussing real issues,” she asserted.

Public Response and Support

Thapar’s remarks resonated with many online. One user on X remarked that decisions regarding marriage should be context-specific and that public figures ought to communicate more responsibly. Another user added that the conversation should focus on topics like nutrition, safety, education, and economic participation instead of marital timelines and the glorification of unsustainable work hours.