Sir

It is embarrassing when students address me ‘sir’. It is an acronym for the phrase ‘South Indian Rascal’, I usually wonder when students call me sir, ‘Are they saying it knowing its meaning or not? Basically it originated at IIMs, that’s what Prof.Ganesh’s research finding highlights. Since the rascal sounds exotic, I do not mind it, yet I would prefer to be called by my proper name.

And calling me Father is equally embarrassing. Imagine the situation; in the market place when two or three grownups calling me Father. Invariably number of people stares at me with lots of confusion and curiosity. Once one man made the comment looking at me, “You must be a stud bull”.

Personally, I believe one should address the other by the personal name. Parents go through lot of home work, consultation and compromises before selecting a name for their child. For example, when I had to be named, there was a big confusion; my father wanted the name George, my mother liked the name Joseph and the grandmother insisted on the name Peter. Since no one was willing abandon their choice, after much discussion, fights and arguments they gave me all the three names, that is how I came to be known as George Joseph Peter.

When someone calls me Sir or Father, he or she is not respecting my parent and their hard work. Coming Monday new academic session is going to begin. And I am going to make the rule; for every time a student calls me ‘sir’ or ‘father’ he or she will be given minus 2 marks in my subject. I am sure it will put the fear of hell into their hearts. But how to impose this rule on students who are in second years and who have passed out? Some creative thinking is needed.