The first thing people identify when you first come out of your shell is your name. It is what makes you unique. But what if your name becomes subject to not humiliation but ridicule?

People did not realise that ‘Murmu’ as a surname existed and were unaware that it was always there. What they did think was that the pronunciation of ‘Murmu’ sounded like ‘murmur’ or ‘murmura (puffed rice)’. Warsan Shire, a Somali-British writer, says, “My name doesn’t allow me to trust anyone that cannot pronounce it right.” I lived this quote while I struggled as one of the few tribal students in my class.

Living almost 20 years in Bihar, I would fear the morning roll call at school. I would pray the teacher at the desk would know me enough to call me only by my first name. With all the internalised oppression, stemming from the lack of representation, I discreetly decided to omit my surname, ‘Murmu’, while introducing myself. Back then, my Facebook........

© Indian Express