The New Caste System
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/By-order-Management/entry/the-new-caste-system
Neelakantan, 13 May 2010,
While there is much debate over the ancient caste system - if you see all
around you, a new system of social division has taken its place.
This caste system is slightly different from the ancient one. The ancient one
classified people into 4 varnas - this one is a little more specific -
considering the needs of the modern society. In the ancient system, you could
move from one caste to another - even a shudra could be king - the modern one
is a bit tougher to navigate.
Today's caste system is a bit different in that sense. This system builds walls
around certain places that are difficult for an outsider to scale. If you are
an outsider, you can say goodbye to your aspirations or be ready to pay a heavy
entry cost.
Take the case of politicians. Today there are political families and non
political families. Much of us fall in the latter. If your grandfather or
father or grandmother or mother is a politician, there is a greater chance that
you will at least get a dekko into politics. Most of our young parliamentarians
are new first names with very well known old last names. Try getting a party
ticket without a well known last name and let me know how it went.
Much of our film industry is of a similar nature. Connections are the way to
get there. It is not easy for an outsider to break in - especially if you want
to be backed by a big budget banner.
And the connection of big money in politics and big money in cinema forms
another system that feed off one another.
In sports it is a little tougher to make the cut purely because of your last
name, but clearly, you can get your opportunities to prove yourself.
Take almost any other business or self employment option. Architects, Lawyers,
Chartered Accountants, Dentists - in all these professions, it is far easier to
establish a reputation if your last name is well known in the profession and
you will find often generations of families following the same business . I am
not saying that a newbie has no scope here, but one has to think smart.
This, then, is the new caste system. Except possibly in the corporate sector -
if you start off right at the bottom of the food chain - this caste system has
firmly established itself. Where do you fit in?
