sifarish

Sifarish is a term used in Urdu and Hindi to denote a request, appeal, or recommendation made to someone in a position of influence in order to obtain a favor for oneself or another. The word is borrowed from Persian سفارش, meaning recommendation or urging. In everyday language, sifarish often refers to asking for help through social networks or for admission to schools, jobs, or other opportunities via connections rather than merit alone.

In practice, sifarish operates within bureaucratic, political, and social settings. Individuals may seek sifarish to gain preferential treatment, such as admission, employment, or access to services. While it can facilitate opportunities for deserving candidates, it is also associated with nepotism, patronage, and perceived unfairness when influence overrides merit. Discussions about sifarish frequently arise in debates on corruption and meritocracy in South Asia.

culturally, sifarish appears in literature, film, and music as a motif reflecting the social realities of influence and advocacy. The term also features in legal and policy discourse as a reminder of the informal channels that accompany formal processes.