Identity crisis 

I lay in a cradle watching two people whom I now recognize as my lovely parents .I wondered what the discussion was all about for the words sounded alien to me .One could call it a debate in its simplest form. This was something that probably went on for two days or so .Of this; one thing was certain to happen .The winner would enjoy the privilege of gifting me with my identity.

This is probably what each one of us will imagine when we are told a tale of how our name was chosen.

     Being the elder daughter, a first child, I came into the family with a voucher of excitement for all. It indeed surprised many as God had probably made a last minute change according to them. The astrologer’s prediction that my parents would have a boy baby had turned wrong. Months passed by. People addressed me by various names such as ‘eh baby!’ ‘’chinnu’ …time had then come to give me an official name.

     As per the usual custom, my parents sought advice from their elders. They were asked to give me a name starting from the letter ‘D’ .This left them a little dissatisfactory as the choice was a little less. Thus they ended up giving the name’s sake name Dolly.

Then began the actual debate .It was decided that my name would begin with the letter ‘R’ as both my parents had theirs beginning with the same. Two names struck their minds out of which one sounded alien to everyone in the family except my mom. Reshma and Rashmi .Dad preferred to keep it conventional and mom, the opposite. A lot of arguments happened about the name sounding Islamic and was not found in the Sanskrit books.

        

       A day then came when a lot of people had gathered .It was time to reveal the name. The secret was first whispered into my ear three times as if to sign the same bond three times to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

A mystery still remains unresolved .Does the name exists in Sanskrit scriptures?

All I know is that it means something silky and delicate .When people pull my leg regarding this here is what i say. “Not everyone would be lucky to be named this way. Born in a Hindu family, nicknamed a Christian and official name, Islamic .Perfect Indian .Isn’t it??”