25,000 changed names this year

Some add an alphabet or two hoping it would bring them good luck. Then there are others who are fed up of the “taunts” their names invite.

Some others go for what they call “historical corrections”. The usual ones,of course,are women post-marriage assuming new first names along with their husband’s surname.Forty-year-old S K Tante,who got an application on Friday for changing his name,said,“For years,I have lived with this name. My name means dispute. Some friends of mine always crack a joke. I don’t feel hurt,but in future my children might be hurt if anybody taunts them. I am planning to change my name after discussion with my family,” he said.

Another man has cited “school admission” for his children as reason for changing his surname. His surname is “Paadre” and he wants it changed to Mali. “In such cases,it is obvious citizens don’t want their children to become butt of jokes. So they try to change history giving them a sense of new pride,” officials said. The number of people seeking to change their names just to add more punch like Roa,Chandra or Singh to their names is also increasing.

The name change is neither “highly costly” nor tedious. Forms are available free. It takes a month for the state government official gazette to arrive along with changed name. “The fee is Rs 120. But if you want the name changed in a jiffy,you pay Rs 620 and get it in three days,” says Rupendra More,a manager at Photzinco department of the state government.

Citizen feel,says More,that publication in the official state gazette is an authentic proof of their name. “However,this has no legal basis. Such a change can be challenged in court,” he says. “Though there is a growing craze among citizens to get their names published in the official gazette,publication of such a notice is not an authentic record or proof. The government also does not take any responsibility. People need some proof so they rely heavily on this government document.”