In the world of corporate India, few figures command as much respect as Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys and a stalwart of discipline, frugality, and hard work. His views on productivity, work culture, and the Indian work ethic have made headlines time and again. So, when the name Soham Parekh began trending online, many began asking — Is this the embodiment of Narayana Murthy’s ideal employee?
Let’s unpack who Soham Parekh is, why he’s gaining traction across social media and startup circles, and how his ethos seems to align almost perfectly with Murthy’s famously high standards.
Who is Soham Parekh?
Soham Parekh is a young, rising tech professional and AI researcher, known for his deep focus, long work hours, and an uncompromising dedication to learning and execution. While not (yet) a household name like a unicorn founder or a tech CEO, Parekh has captured the imagination of many in India’s corporate ecosystem.
His recent LinkedIn post—which went viral—outlined how he consistently works 12–14 hours a day, avoids distractions like social media, and dedicates time after work to build projects, upskill in AI, and participate in open-source communities.
This relentless work ethic struck a chord with many. But what really set off the spark? A quote from Narayana Murthy that went viral just months ago.
The Murthy Standard: “70 Hours a Week”
In late 2023, Narayana Murthy made headlines for his statement urging Indian youth to work 70 hours a week to boost the country’s productivity and global competitiveness. It sparked massive debates — some called it exploitative, while others saw it as a wake-up call for a developing nation’s workforce.
Murthy’s exact words:
“India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world. My request is that our youngsters must say, ‘This is my country. I want to work 70 hours a week.’”
To some, that sounded outdated or out of touch. But for people like Soham Parekh, it was already a reality.
Why Soham Is Going Viral
Soham’s post, titled “Discipline > Motivation”, outlined his daily schedule — packed with client meetings, product design, AI model testing, night-time courses, and even mentorship calls. It read more like a Silicon Valley productivity manual than a millennial’s social post.
Highlights from his routine:
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Starts work by 7 AM, no alarms — just routine.
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Uses deep work blocks: 2 hours, phone-free.
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Avoids social media, except LinkedIn for professional use.
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Commits to one learning goal per week (AI, Python, LLMs).
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Avoids late-night Netflix or mobile scrolling — sleeps by 11 PM.
The post ended with:
“If you want to achieve something exceptional, you can’t afford to live like everyone else.”
Social Media Reacts: “Murthy’s Dream Employee”
Soon, LinkedIn users began commenting:
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“This is what Narayana Murthy was talking about.”
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“Soham Parekh is walking the walk. This is rare in Gen Z.”
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“Discipline and focus are underrated. Kudos!”
Even prominent startup founders and HR executives reshared the post, hailing it as an example of work culture that prioritizes output over optics.
Though Narayana Murthy hasn’t officially responded or mentioned Soham, the internet has already declared him “Murthy’s Dream Employee.”
Parekh’s Philosophy: Discipline, Not Hustle Culture
Interestingly, Soham Parekh has been careful to distance himself from toxic hustle culture. In a follow-up post, he clarified:
“I’m not advocating burnout or sleepless nights. But I am advocating purposeful work and high standards. You can’t sleepwalk your way to mastery.”
This nuance has helped the conversation shift from “work more hours” to “work more intentionally.”
His stance resonates with a growing segment of India’s workforce — especially in tech — that believes in:
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Deliberate practice
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Focused upskilling
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Outcome-driven work ethic
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Long-term career building, not instant gratification
The Wider Context: India’s Young Workforce & Changing Attitudes
India has the world’s largest young workforce, with over 50% of its population under 30. As the country aims to become a global tech and innovation powerhouse, work ethic is under scrutiny.
While many younger professionals value work-life balance, hybrid models, and mental health, a parallel movement is growing — one that emphasizes:
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Discipline over dopamine
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Routine over randomness
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Output over optics
Soham Parekh’s sudden fame is emblematic of this new wave of productivity influencers who aren’t posting “rise and grind” quotes — but quietly living them.
What This Means for Employers and Startups
Startups and HR teams are watching this closely. Many see Soham’s approach as the antidote to trends of:
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Quiet quitting
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Entitlement culture
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Digital distraction
Some startups have even used his story in onboarding presentations to inspire new hires.
There’s also a growing conversation around “hiring for discipline and attitude, not just skill.” Soham Parekh has become the unofficial poster boy for that philosophy.
A Tech Edge: Parekh’s Work in AI
Beyond discipline, Soham is also known for his work in AI and LLM integration. He has worked on:
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Early-stage generative AI tools for enterprise teams
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Open-source contributions in LangChain and HuggingFace
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Lightweight NLP apps used in ed-tech and healthcare pilots
He remains active in online communities, often writing tutorials and helping others navigate the AI learning curve.
It’s this combination of technical skill, executional excellence, and monk-like discipline that has made him such a compelling figure.
What’s Next for Soham?
While he’s not currently a founder or VC-backed startup head, rumors suggest Soham is working on a stealth AI productivity tool aimed at startups. He’s also reportedly been approached by accelerators and angel investors who see potential in his founder DNA.
It’s too early to tell what direction his career will take — but whether he becomes a founder, a tech leader, or a productivity coach — one thing’s clear: India is paying attention.
Conclusion: Discipline is the New Differentiator
In an age where attention spans are shrinking and distractions abound, Soham Parekh is a refreshing reminder of what focus and purpose can accomplish.
Whether or not Narayana Murthy officially endorses him, Parekh exemplifies the ethos Murthy has long championed:
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Hard work with integrity
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Discipline as the path to excellence
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Self-improvement through structure
For India’s rising workforce, he’s become a case study in what’s possible when you aim higher than just the minimum — and actually walk the talk.
FAQs
Q1: Is Soham Parekh associated with Infosys or Narayana Murthy?
No, Soham Parekh is not affiliated with Infosys. His approach to work and discipline, however, aligns closely with Narayana Murthy’s ideals, which is why he’s being called a “dream employee” online.
Q2: Why did Soham Parekh go viral?
His detailed LinkedIn post about discipline, deep work, and structured upskilling resonated with thousands of professionals across India, earning him praise and attention.
Q3: Is this the beginning of a new work culture trend?
Possibly. Soham’s rise reflects a growing appetite for purpose-driven productivity and structured self-growth, especially in the tech and startup community.
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