One may be called by many different names in one’s lifetime. Pet names, nick names, each of us could have different labels at different times. Women are accustomed to being called different names before and after marriage. There are some communities, notably Marwaris, who change the bride’s first name as well as her surname. In such a situation, a girl literally has two separate identities, one before, and one after marriage. Perhaps before marriage she was Dimple Daga. But after marriage she becomes Rakhi Ranka. It seems strange to think they are one and the same.

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