Confusion in the name of my namesakes

When William Shakespeare said what’s in a name, I’m sure he didn’t have the vagaries of namesakes on his mind. I have a fairly common name and have, therefore, often landed in ticklish situations.

I remember my first day at kindergarten when the teacher uttered in exasperation, “Oh no, one more Rajiv!” Three of her mischievous students shared the same name.

After Class 5, I got admission in a residential school. There too, my namesakes were present in considerable strength to befuddle teachers and fellow students. Luckily, according to the tradition of the boarding school, we were conferred nicknames that brought an end to our agony, at least until we completed schooling.

When I joined college as a pre-university student, once again, I was welcomed by ample namesakes, four to be precise, to recreate a comedy of errors. One of them, who was a diehard fan of cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, would often miss class to watch him in action.

This led to his running short of the mandatory lectures before the final exams. But, by mistake, my name was put on the list of the withheld candidates instead of his and I had to run from pillar to post to get my roll number in the nick of time.

Once out of college, as my professional life began, I heaved a sigh of relief. At last, I expected good riddance from my namesakes. But that was not to be. It took only a few months to discover that there were seven medical practitioners in town with whom I shared my name and two of them in close vicinity with whom I shared my surname, too. So every time a new patient, looking lost, comes to my OPD for consultation, I try to make sure if he wishes to see me or my peer, before proceeding with the examination.

As my clinic is on the main road, postmen and couriers inadvertently deliver cheque books and stock market documents addressed to my namesakes at my workplace and I’ve entrusted myself with the additional responsibility of delivering the same to the right addressees. This has helped me forge a cordial bond with my fellow clinicians.

Recently, a cake was delivered at my clinic in my absence. It was meant to be delivered to my namesake physician’s clinic. The nursing staff assumed it to be a birthday gift from a well-wisher. In order to give me a surprise, they put candles on the cake and lit them moments before my arrival. I was welcomed by a loud chorus of the happy birthday song as I entered the clinic. Seeing their enthusiasm and in anticipation of a mouthwatering treat, I chose to remain silent and cut the cake.

In the evening, I called my namesake friend to greet and apologise for the mix-up. After giving me a patient hearing, he burst out laughing and said, “You have taken a weight off my chest. I’m also guilty of pocketing erroneously delivered hand sanitisers and face masks during the initial days of the lockdown. Take it easy. If we can share a name, what’s the big deal in sharing a few goodies?”

BY MISTAKE, MY NAME WAS PUT ON THE LIST OF THE WITHHELD CANDIDATES AND I HAD TO RUN FROM PILLAR TO POST TO GET MY ROLL NUMBER