PM Modi addresses civil servants in New Delhi. (Press Trust of India)

Prime Minster Narendra Modi today talked about work-life balance and "quality time with family" to a hall full of civil servants at a function in Delhi."A life full of tension cannot achieve anything, especially when you have to run the nation," the PM said, adding, "Have you turned into robots in your daily life? If that is so, then that impacts your work."In the imposing Vigyan Bhawan, used for high-profile government functions, the PM said, "My team has to be energetic, not tired and wilted," drawing laughter when he asked, "Why are you so serious?"Also when he said, "Do you spend 'quality time' with your families? I want my friends to think about that... I can't personally guide you on this."

PM Modi is known to work long hours every day and is seen as a tough task master who keeps officials on their toes. He had recently acknowledged "complaints" that he makes people work even on holidays. He has, since he took office in May last year, scheduled some of his government's most important activities and events on public holidays or Sundays.At the Civil Services Day function today, he also said, "Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency, this ART is essential for good governance." The work of the government, he said, was "not only to run departments. We have to be innovative, modernise within the department as well."