The Omnipresence of Nepotism

Nepotism, 

as described by Google, 

is the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.

When a father earns bread, does he share it with his family or gives it away to others expecting family to earn by their own? The father shares it with family. Period.

But, generally, nepotism does not come out as a much favorable and appreciated term. So, what makes it so hateful? Let’s explore while we walk-in-the-blue-moon.

To understand this better, let’s check on where and how was the bread earned. If it was hard earned, then, to feed family looks quiet acceptable right? But, what if he used his power to snatch it from someone lesser powerful who may be working really hard to establish a living; then? – yes, this is what makes nepotism a bad word.

So, it may not sound good to many but I think nepotism under acceptable norms stays good for the society. However, just like the opium abuse, an overdose may certainly bring some devastating consequences.

Like, we have all been reading recently, about the Bollywood actor,

Sushant Singh Rajput’s alleged suicide. 

It may or may not be directly influenced by nepotism, but, the recent revelations from both within and outside of the industry certainly indicates the strongly rooted and abused nepotism within Bollywood – irrespective of it being the sole cause to the actor’s demise.

When alive, Sushant was once seen commenting on nepotism while addressing audiences from all sections of Bollywood at IIFA Awards and he clearly agreed on no harm of nepotism if it goes hand in hand. He claimed it to be outrageous only when it reaches the level of overpowering and denying the deserved rights to new entrants.

Be it Bollywood, Hollywood, Corporates, Politics, 

Nepotism is Omnipresent.

Did you ever shortlist that extra candidate just by looking at her family name?

Did you ever discourage your subordinate so your favorite could ride that ladder easily while the other stays distracted in pleasing you?

Did you ever reject a candidate just because you are not that fond of his religion?

Did you lend that important political constituency where you have been winning for years, to your son as a legacy without testing his merit?

If any or all of your answers turn to be a yes, you have been part of nepotism / cronyism – in a wrong way my friend. You look to be one of the many who brought so much hate to this term.

Before you ask me on cronyism, let me share how google defines it. 

So, as per google, cronyism is the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

In short, cronyism is the extension of nepotism again, in a wrong direction.

Now, we all know the bad side of it. So, what do we do?

How do we erase it? Will it ever get erased?

My thought is not to try and erase nepotism. 

Let’s befriend it but make it less powerful. 

Let’s make it learn sharing. Sharing the right to grow. 

Let’s make this world equal to both inside and outside of immediate family, friends, associates and allow merit to play vital role in growth and sustenance. 

Let’s limit nepotism only till entrance door and teach our family to grow on merit.

And yes, let’s definitely work towards erasing cronyism; 

It certainly does not add any smiles. 

Let us include our associates, until the interview or audition only; 

and move further only basis their credibility and talent, 

rather just on basis of your association with them.

Let’s promise ourselves to be fair. The rest will fall in place.