Delhi Metro Work Culture Moment Goes Viral Amid Renewed Talk on Long Working Hours

Discussions around work-life balance in India have intensified in recent years, with professionals openly sharing how difficult it has become to separate work from personal life. Many employees say the lines have blurred so much that work continues well beyond office hours, contributing to rising burnout. The growing shift toward remote and hybrid work has added to this pressure, with people often seen working on laptops in cafes, parks and even while travelling. This backdrop makes the latest Delhi Metro viral video work culture moment especially relatable for millions.

The Irony Riding Inside Delhi Metro

The viral clip captures an unusual but telling scene. A woman, completely absorbed in her laptop, appears unaware of anything happening around her. Ironically, right behind her is an advertisement for an underarm roll-on with a relatable punchline: “Work-life is imbalanced. Your underarm pH does not have to be.”

The clip was posted on X with the caption: “The ad behind found its perfect audience.”
The short video stood out because it captured the subtle humour and heavy truth of India work culture irony in a single glance.

Narayana Murthy Rekindles 72-Hour Work Week Debate

The theme of the video ties directly into ongoing national conversations about expectations at work. Recently, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy once again advocated for longer working hours in India, sparking renewed debate about the work-life balance India debate.

During an interview with Republic TV, he referenced China’s notorious ‘996’ work culture (9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week), explaining why he believes disciplined long hours contribute to a nation’s progress.

Murthy stated, “No individual, no community, no country has ever come up without hard work.”
He revealed that Catamaran staff had visited various Chinese cities to study real work habits.

He added:
“Last year, Catamaran senior and middle-level staff went to China, and they went to tier 1 cities, tier 2 cities and tier 3 cities. They stayed in tier 3 kind of hotels because we wanted to understand the real China. And you know there is a saying there, 9,9,6. You know what it means? 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. And that is 72 hours a week.”

Murthy also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly works nearly 100 hours a week, suggesting this could serve as an example for young professionals. His remarks reignited conversations about Narayana Murthy 72-hour work week remarks and whether such expectations align with India’s evolving workforce.