The Name Game

Why is it that our top decision makers frequently show a tendency to merely name and rename things?  This symbolism, and the importance attached to such superficial changes, often emerge from people who belong to, and sometimes mention an intent to guard/revive, an ancient culture which attracts people from all over the world who have a desire to ‘explore their inner depths’ or ‘find a deeper meaning of life’ or such similar things.

What changes does it bring about? Now that JnNURM has been renamed, people are hoping that AMRUT will take care of their wish. People who are still trying to work their way around the Madrases, Calcuttas and VTs may not be too happy with the additional burden of Sambhajinagars or Karnavatis. Ask someone in Nagpur the directions to the nationally ubiquitous MG Road, and there is a fair chance you’ll end up with nothing (even Google Maps looks a bit misguided on this issue). Somewhere, there might be a school whose authorities rename it in honour of Jyotiba Phule, and appoint a principal who believes that girls don’t need education since after all they have to stay in the kitchen in the future. Maybe, somebody would list down such a renaming on their resumé as “Initiated a change that was easily implemented and showed immediate results”. Some would indeed find such a statement, such instantaneous results, quite attractive in an age where life is too short to safely remove a USB device.

But change is sometimes good. Some might argue that such changes are a reflection of the culture or history of that particular region, and may create more awareness about these among the people. But such change may show a more pronounced effect for those who are in businesses related to signboards or visiting cards. At least someone can expect Achche Din if such announcements of renaming become more frequent.

The overall verdict? Before our eyes, we have the example of the Blame Game, another futile exercise, which incidentally happens to be a favourite pastime of our decision makers. These changes are only cosmetic changes, not cosmic changes as some of them might want us to believe (or worse, believe strongly in this principle themselves). At the end of the day, Bangalore, by any other name, would be just as expensive.