Nepotism- A process with wider scope

 ‘Nepotism’ remained in hot discussion among TV channels after the sad and untimely demise of a blooming star of Bollywood in Mumbai . The unfortunate incident is now more than a year old. A lot was said about Nepotism in Bollywood and its severe adverse psychological impact on capable and potential struggling aspirants as well on new entering actors from ‘outside’ leaving them in deep depression to any extreme extent. Over a time, millions of viewers have watched the a number of TV anchors apparently emotionally aroused pitch with frothing speech raising many issues on this sad case, the first among them all is ‘Nepotism’ in Bollywood. Case shifted many gears since then . Anyway, this is for so many central and state governmental agencies investigating it to conclude various aspects; ‘Nepotism in Bollywood’ perhaps does not seem among them .

What is ‘Nepotism’?  Does it exist in Bollywood to the extent causing serious difficulties for strugglers ?  Is it something unique to some specific domain ?  Is it detrimental to development of talent and innovation ? 

Nepotism, by dictionary definition is 

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‘Favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (in giving them jobs)’

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On first glance, this definition suggests that Nepotism is  the initiation and set-up of an emotional process  that activates preferential considerations in a person for those who are well known or belong to in providing future opportunities. The definition does not specifically emphasize preference in ‘Jobs’  only but by writing in parenthesis it suggest a domain of major influence.      

On a first look Nepotism appeared to be a ‘social process’. However, a deeper look through the lens  may provide some  different perspectives. It is the natural instinct of any living being, Human in our scope as of now, of creating a long term stronger and more sustainable  environment of survival for his own purpose and objectives. Famous Urdu poet Zauq, a contemporary of Ghalib era and senior in the court of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar summed up this human desire in the following two lines.

ho umr-e-khizr bhi to kahenge bavaqt-e-marg
hum kya rahe yahan abhi aaye abhi chale

In these lines Zauq explains the basic instinct of  humans is an unsatisfied desire to live even after having a long useful life span. Whenever the end approaches near , he always feels that life is  short and over rather quickly and the end is here. This brings out the origin of the phenomenon of  ‘Nepotism’ where the probability of fulfilment of this desire (of being there after his own physical end) is large.

Inclusion of targeted beneficiaries which mostly may be his (*) own siblings or closely related in a part of this in-built approach. This  ensures the continuity of those legacies, capabilities and resources which the Nepotist has developed and built over a period of time with success. Since he  has a sort of ownership and confidence over his achievements through all tough terrains during his life period , he  naturally desires to pass them to siblings or anyone who can acquire them effectively and develop further.  

This approach gives an overall hope with reasonable surety to the Nepotist for prolonged survival of his  legacies in the times to come. This perhaps fulfills the in-built natural desire of a human to be remembered even after his demise and the impact he leaves.  Here Nepotism seems  a more part of biological evolution  with many social processes making it work. As much practiced to this extent, it can not be termed a restrictive practice discounting innovation and new different ways. 

Here , Nepotism should be differentiated from ‘Inheritance’ . In case of Inheritance, a person passes on his wealth (read materialistic) to his siblings but in Nepotism , he provides a launch pad for his Nears and Dears (Beneficiaries) by creating a conducive environment which may tilt the balance towards beneficiaries and provide an easy entrance in to the desired domain. ‘Conducive Environment’ has two distinct dimensions. One which promotes the beneficiary like launching a movie for son or impacting the jury to give big awards etc.  Second approach is to create hurdles in the path of bright upcoming potential challengers. 

Nepotism , many times, is treated differently from Favoritism. However , the definition of Nepotism itself starts with the word Favoritism. In the end, it sounds more practical to use Nepotism for all considerations for Favoritism since both create restrictions for outsiders entering the same domain. The only exception to this is favoritism given due to corrupt practices. This last mode does not have any defined or predictable structure and each case is unique in its own way.

With change in management structures; be it political (democratically governed) or business (Board Driven), direct placement of a son or daughter or any kin in your position is not as easy as it used to be in the past . Gone are the days when a king or a landlord will declare the name of a son who will inherit the empire. In the present, a Nepotist , aware of this fact , plans it and creates a suitable environment , well in advance to strike   at an appropriate time. He will first create a democratic structure like the Governing Council or the Board of his Yes-Men which will support the resolutions with majority in his favor. Meanwhile , the beneficiary will be given an assignment to make him involved in strategic matters. This system is ‘Familyism’ or  ‘Parivarvad’  in Hindi which is a form of Nepotism. In India, this system exists extensively in business and politics. While this ensures the principles of evolution , it also extends safeguard to whatever has been achieved through otherwise clandestine means by the Nepotist. It will provide him enough time to maintain tight cover over his actions during his heydays and let the issues  die their death in that longer time.  It also facilitated effective control and influence of the Nepotist on the new structure. 

While this practice is well expected in business , this has substantially penetrated in politics in India after independence from Colonial Rule. Examples from so many state and central politicians are many and will take enough time and space to even mention here. This is across all the parties , regions and states in spite of their usual declaration that India is one of the largest democracies in the world. Putting Wife , Sons , Daughters or even Nephews and Nieces, Brothers , Sisters etc. in major positions in the party’s prime organization and then promoting them in top slots is a regular phenomenon.  So much is practiced that this has  become a norm and is giving a more impression of a successor prince or princess than democracy. Very cleverly, this is given the garb of democracy. More surprising fact is that the public also accepts it in the same way (King vs Subject - Raja and Praja in Hindi) as it used to in the case of Kingdoms. 

While the definition of Nepotism includes only siblings and kin as the beneficiaries, on a wider scope , favoring persons from own caste & community, regions, language or even from the same  domain also play roles in Nepotism. In case of same domain , it is easier for the Nepotist to visualize and understand the work of beneficiary . We must have seen example where a top executive with say Finance background would select another man from same background. A confident junior to whom the Nepotist has groomed for his purpose may also be a beneficiary . This is more observed where a Nepotist is a part of the process but  does not have opportunity to give benefits to siblings in his domain of influence. Behind this larger definition of Nepotism, scope of benefits still may remain the same as in the case of siblings as beneficiaries , at least for the time being. Using this approach , the Nepotist can extend his influence in the larger cross section of the system and get the things done as per his desire and outcome. He can become a force to reckon with in the system and use it to bargain with higher commands even after his exit from the system. 

While Nepotists practice this for his purposes , Beneficiary , also finds this process highly suitable for his life. He need not start everything from scratch and get a ready base well tested and successful,  launch himself. He need not face the torture of start-up blues. He derives great strength and support , at least in the beginning to survive and progress. He finds enough time to learn the tricks of the trade and practice them to gain experience. 

Practices of Nepotism may not always be successful. Beneficiaries may not have capability for the purpose to take the system further. There are  examples where big empires , business houses went down when the reins were given to a beneficiary through Nepotism. Bollywood, which became infamous on this account perhaps has more known examples than any other domain. Many big-wigs launched their siblings in the field of their expertise and achievements  but beneficiaries could not take advantage for long enough to even merely float, not to say swim across the tides.  

For Strugglers and Newcomers, Nepotism poses a big challenge. They will break all barriers only if they have strong will and different ways of  excellence in the field of their choice. Unless they exhibit a sharp difference in their approach compared to the on-going trends , the chances of their success will remain low and dim. Let us remember that differentiation leads to success faster in a world of strong competition and hurdles. Even in animals , birds , fishes , flowers , the prime mode of survival and progress is different from others even in our own community. Different color patterns in the same types of flowers is a common example to prove this.  Very difficult to practice and survive but not a purely  an ideal statement.  Again in Bollywood,  many strugglers succeeded in their domains to achieve even greater heights.  Many of them crossed even international boundaries  Each of them had his own foot-prints and of course the strong will power and courage to withstand rough patches. In current technology driven systems , many successful business start-ups fresh out of campuses  ,  talented youngsters  have proved that one can achieve the goal posts with ‘out of box’ approaches. 

Nepotism is not looked upon as a good practice as far as system functions  involving new innovations or different and more efficient functions in contemporary up-coming ways with fast track advancement of technology to aid all processes in life.  Mostly it makes a more controlled system with very limited scope of new approach. It also deprives the newcomer with limited or no resources to prove their capacity to add new energy in the system .  But Nepotism always may not be a hindrance in the system’s benefits. It can be a bridge for smooth transition and where new players , aware of past , present and future , can prove their mettle with somewhat less efforts to alter it towards a more efficient and progressive system with contemporary and futuristic  goals.  

(*) It may be clarified that mostly male gender based descriptions and grammar are used here though all are applicable to female gender also in all the roles.

N K BANSAL