Sunny Varkey, the Indian-origin billionaire and chairman of Dubai-based GEMS Education, has stirred debate online after saying that true success leaves little room for work-life balance. In a podcast with host Anas Bukhash, Varkey reflected on his journey from a modest upbringing in Kerala to running one of the world’s largest private school networks. Asked if it was possible to achieve success while maintaining balance, he admitted it was “difficult.” “One should definitely try to maintain a balance. But if I work eight hours like everybody else, I won’t be successful. One must have the passion, and then you must have the ability to literally work 24/7,” he said. He emphasised that his accomplishments were the result of extraordinary commitment, not chance. “I worked almost 24 Today, I work 24/7, literally. And the team works with me on the same level and same pace. It would be good if one could have a work-life balance, but it won’t be very easy. It’s just difficult," Varkey said. Varkey also pointed to the harsh realities of success. “Somebody has to work hard to achieve things. Nobody gives you a free hand in today’s world, nobody. You have to work hard, but sometimes it’s difficult to have a work-life balance.” Born in 1957 in Kerala, Varkey took over his parents’ school in Dubai in 1980 before formally founding GEMS Education in 2000. Today, the group runs over 80 schools in more than a dozen countries, educating 140,000 students and supported by an alumni network of 400,000. Watch here: The video sparked debate, with several users slamming Varkey for promoting an unhealthy work culture. "Does he realise what he is saying?" a user wrote. "Modern-day slavery! It’s crazy that he’s promoting and encouraging people to work this much and totally ignoring the mental well-being of the person,” another user commented. Varkey is also a philanthropist and founded the Varkey Foundation in 2010, creating the $1 million Global Teacher Prize, was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education in 2012, and signed The Giving Pledge in 2015. For his contributions, he received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2009.
