“Maiden names”

I refer to the very apt and interesting observations of Rashid Medora ("Maiden names,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, August 21, 2005).

For over 30 years I have known a proper Bombay Parsi whose official first name is Paul. I would rather not mention his last name, as it could be Parsi, Hindu, Muslim, or even Christian. It was after a trade/ business. Sadly I have lost contact with him for some time, otherwise I know I would have obtained his ready consent to give his full name.

My guess is, he must be 60 plus today. In other words he is not a modern young kid, and his name was given over 60 years ago.

He had two daughters who must now be mature young ladies. I wonder what the plight of such folk will be, with the reasoning of our scholars, mercifully, only a few.

I also have of a Shia Muslim God fearing friend, a credit to any society, who was compelled to change his name to a more appropriate Sunni name in order to ensure his legitimate promotion in a major corporation. Is Zoroastrianism now come down to issuing fatwas and Talibanization?

Such sad reading always reminds me of the good old Parsi/Gujarati saying "bhanya, pun ganya nahi (educated but lacking common sense).”

ESADVASTER BAMJI

Chevy Chase, MD, USA