Rajasthan’s education department has launched ‘Sarthak Naam Abhiyan’, allowing students in Classes 1–9 to change awkward or meaningless names. Officials said a list of 2,950 meaningful names has been shared with schools. The move aims to curb bullying and boost confidence, with changes optional and subject to parental consent, according to department directives.

Jaipur: Under a meaningful and positive initiative to stop bullying of students with awkward, meaningless and bizarre names, the education department in Rajasthan has come up with Sarthak Naam Abhiyan which will allow the students to change their names.

The department has compiled a list of 2950 names with their meanings and sent it to the schools. This list includes 1,541 names for girls and 1,409 for boys which will be suggested to the students and parents if they are willing for a name change.

The department believes that having a negative or flawed name can adversely affect a child's psychological development and self-confidence, while positive names will foster a sense of self-esteem in children, which will prove instrumental in their personal growth.

" A name is not merely a means of identification but an integral part of one's personality. Often—particularly in rural areas or due to a lack of awareness—children are given names that subsequently cause them to develop an inferiority complex later in life. This campaign represents an endeavor to bridge this gap," said the department in its directives regarding the scheme.