A rose, by any other name
Updated On: 30 September, 2023 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Lindsay Pereira
Why are we worrying about what our country should be called, given that names can and should change all the time?
Listen to this article :
When Bombay magically became Mumbai, millions of us watched as crores were distributed to all kinds of people charged with erasing the old and bringing in the new. File pic/Satej Shinde
I didn’t blink an eyelid at the recent suggestion that we change the name of our ancient country. I thought about it for a second or two, then nodded. I didn’t even consider the scientific or historic reasons proposed by erudite cricketers or esteemed members of Parliament, or ask why ‘India’ was no longer a viable option. I simply thought about the novelty of it all and applauded the idea. Yes, I told myself, this is obviously the way forward if we are to turn into a world-beating country. We should have done this years ago. Why did no one come up with the suggestion?
One of the reasons for my enthusiasm could be that I have lived through this sort of exercise before. In fact, many of us have. When Bombay magically became Mumbai, for instance, millions of us watched as crores were distributed to all kinds of people charged with erasing the old and bringing in the new. This isn’t to suggest that a name-changing exercise has anything to do with corruption, obviously, because I’m pretty sure the men and women representing us at the top are honest to a fault. No, the point I’m making has to do with longevity, and whether the act of renaming is effective. Do I know of people who still use Bombay instead of Mumbai? Absolutely. Do I know what Charni Road is supposedly called now? I’m pretty sure I do not.
Read Next Story
Trending Stories
Latest Photos
Latest Videos
Latest Web Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-Day Fast
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT