Narayana Murthy sparks debate with comments on parenting, education, and coaching classes

N.R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, has yet again sparked controversy on social media with his recent comments. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru on September 9, Murthy stated that parents who prioritise watching movies over disciplining their children shouldn't expect their kids to focus on their studies. His remarks have ignited a debate online.

Murthy's comments came in response to a question about how students can stay focused on their studies in the age of social media and other distractions. He also criticised the growing reliance on coaching classes. The reactions to Murthy’s statement were mixed. One user pointed out, "But if parents work for 72 hours as you recommend, when will they have time for their kids?" Another user added, "It is the duty of parents to pass on the right information to their children.

Three hours of wrong information can damage the nation." A third user was more critical of modern parenting, saying, "Exactly. But today’s parents are busy watching reels on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and other social media sites. When they are bored, they turn to Netflix and Amazon Prime, and they encourage their children to watch as well. This is the worst generation of parents." Murthy shared that he and his wife, Sudha Murty, dedicated more than three and a half hours each day to reading with their children, Akshata and Rohan Murty.

This practice, he explained, was part of creating a disciplined environment at home. The family had a strict rule: no television from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, focusing solely on reading and studying during these hours.

The routine continued after dinner, from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The 78-year-old tech leader also took a strong stance against coaching classes, calling them "the wrong way to help children" prepare for exams. "I do not believe in coaching classes. Most people who attend them do not listen to their teachers carefully in class, and unfortunately, many parents are not equipped to help their children. That is why they see value in coaching classes," Murthy explained.