The Inherited Chair Poem by AAHAN VARMA

A child grew up hearing,

'Work hard and you'll rise.'

The same lesson lived

In books and advice.

So he studied.

He struggled.

He earned every step.

Believing effort was something

The world would respect.

Then one day he noticed—

Some people began the race

Already near the finish line,

While others were still

Searching for a place to start.

Some inherited a name.

Some inherited influence.

Some inherited open doors.

Others inherited silence.

The question isn't

Whether family matters.

The question is—

Why merit often shatters.

The question isn't

Why connections exist.

The question is—

Why talent gets missed.

Millions of young people

Wait for an opportunity.

While some paths appear ready

Before responsibility.

We don't ask for privilege.

We don't ask for favours.

We simply ask for a system

That rewards effort over surnames.

Because a nation's future

Cannot depend on inheritance alone.

It depends on the talent

Waiting in ordinary homes.

And if success truly belongs

To those who earn their place—

Why do some people begin

Several miles ahead in the race?