Order

Reportable

1. “What is there in the name?” Name is an intrinsic element of identity. In the world famous play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, there is a famous quote “What’s in a name?” Showing the importance of the name it has been said that it conveys the natural characteristics of an individual which is more important than his/her artificial/acquired characteristics.

2. A name is the first gift most of us receive from our parents. It becomes the foundation of our legal, social and emotional

identity. To name someone is to recognize their presence in the world and to be nameless, in many ways, is to be invisible. Names reflect who we are and where we came from.

3. “To mispronounce, ignore or intentionally change someone’s name is to deny them their identity. From birth certificates to passports, academic records to professional achievements etc. a name is legal marker of existence. Losing or altering it whether through errors, migration or force can lead to struggles, in asserting identity and rights. The denial of one’s name can be a denial of personhood. So what’s in a name is everything. A name is memory, dignity, identity and self-worth. To know and honour someone’s name is to acknowledge their existence. Being called by correct name, especially in spaces where one is a minority, is deeply affirming. It is an acknowledgment of one’s presence, his/her voice, and humanity.

4. Mother plays a key role in fostering a child’s reputation, empathy and social skills. The bond between a mother and her child is special one. It remains unchanged by time or distance. It is the purest love, unconditional and true.

It is the mother who gives birth to a child, therefore, she has every right to get her name on the academic testimonial of her children.

5. A child born to a family sees the world first through the eyes of his/her mother and develops his/her skill through the vision of the family. Mother is one, who can take place of all others, but whose place no one else can take.

6. A mother’s name in educational record is more than just a detail, its a thread that weaves a child’s identity, and sense of

belonging. Its a reminder that education is not just about academics but about nurturing and developing the personality of the child by strengthening his/her emotional and cultural roots. By including mother’s name in educational records, we acknowledge the love, care and sacrifice that shapes a child’s life, and provide a sense of connection to their family and community.

7. Prior to the year 2001, there was no concept of adding name of mother in the educational records of the children. Mother is equally entitled and there is no reasonable justification for only mentioning the father’s name in certificates relating to the educational qualification. It is clearly retrogressive, if the educational certificates, degrees and other such documents reflect only the name of father of a candidate eliminating the name of the mother. Hence, with passage of time, it became mandatory to reflect name of both the mother and the father in the educational certificates and degrees of their children.

8. In the instant case, though the correct name of the petitioner is there in his educational record of Class 10th and Class 12th but by mistake, the pet name (nickname) of his mother is mentioned therein. When the petitioner realised the mistake, he approached the respondents for correction in his mother’s name but the respondents denied to do the same, hence, under such circumstances, the petitioner herein knocked the door of this Court by way of filing this writ petition.

9. The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayer:-

(i) by issuing an appropriate writ, order or direction the impugned order dated 04.08.2022 passed

by the Section Officer (Examination-II), Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan Ajmer may kindly be quashed and set aside and application submitted by the petitioner for correction of name of his mothe