Things are not looking up? Blame it on name - seems to be the mantra of people, who feel by changing names, all odds in life would be set right.
Going at the pace at which people are changing their names, it’s clear that numerology is picking up, as a probable solution to their woes.
In Bangalore, the average number of people changing their names is around 450 people, claim the notaries, for who it is a ‘God send’ business, to make instant moolah. There are 150 notaries in the City and each of them gets at least four cases on an average daily basis. They charge Rs 100 for one affidavit to change the name.
The reasons are plenty and the most prominent of them all is numerology. Monica, a BPO employee got her name changed recently to Monicaa because her life was “not looking up” and she was advised by a numerologist to change her name.
There are however, people, who change their names to sound “trendy.” Virat, a marketing executive is now Viraat. He says that there is no numerology behind it. It just looks good, he says.
The name change is often an addition of one or two more alphabets to the existing name. For instance, one Sheela would become either Shiela or Sheelaa. If one were to look at the newspapers, there are a host of publications announcing a change in name.  Says, N P Amruthesh, a notary, a name change affidavit is the most common feature on his table since the past one year.  To change one’s name all one needs to do is purchase a document sheet from an authorised bank and mention the details on it, including name, new name, father’s name and address. This has to be verified by a witness who could be any person before the document is notarised.
In case of a non-government employee, the person has to first notarise the affidavit and then put up a newspaper publication. However in case of a government employee, apart from notarising the affidavit, he has to get the information published in the gazette. One does not need an advocate to change a name. An advertisement on the web page of law firm claims that name change can be done for Rs 1500. “This is an ideal case to be put before the Bar Council for action,” says a lawyer.
Interestingly, as per law, those women who change their names after marriage also need to notarise the same.