In India we are a confused lot as to how to write our names. Is it: Surname, First name and Last name? Or First name, Last name and Surname? Or some other combinations? When you provide details for birth certificates, Aadhaar, PAN, electoral cards, passports, college and job applications, and in banks, and for any other purpose, each has a different format. In some cases, initials are to be expanded, while in others not. Despite all this, you will find errors when you check the details. The onus is on us to rectify the mistakes, although they would have been made by someone entrusted with filling/typing the names and other details. Another issue is that in some southern states there is no concept of surnames, though caste names may be forced to be used as surnames.
Recently, the Rajasthan government has come out with a decree that you cannot name your children as Kalu, Chhotu, Shaitan, Bablu and so forth. The government will indirectly discourage such names, for example, through school principals or bank managers who would nudge you to change the name, else admission to the school or account opening will be disallowed. The government has a ready reckoner with traditional names: 1,541 for girls and 1,409 for boys. It looks like the government has more time for increased interference and less time for governance.
The Bard may be right about the rose, but this does not apply in daily life to our names, since even pensions are stopped if there is a minor error in the spelling. To avoid the above fiascos and confusions, there could be a uniform name format/template for all kinds of services and cards, with an option to strike off what is not applicable. Alternatively, there could be a “One Name, One Nation,” with a neutral name to suit all—Amar, Akbar and Anthony.
