What's in the name

I was not Mehman Nawaz. It’s just that my name was Ali Nawaz. In my childhood, when I was first told that I am Mehman Nawaz, I was surly surprised, but I did not change my name. From childhood till class six, I was repeatedly told that I am Mehman Nawaz but I did not change my name. In Matric, when my highly respected neighbors emphasized that “you are Mehman Nawaz”, I changed my name to Mehman Nawaz … and then they started sending the guests over to me.

I made my guests welcome. I made them sit on my eyes; I made them sit on my head. When more came, I slid outside into the yard. When I saw more guests coming, I went outside and stood on the footpath. Today I am on the streets and via newspaper, I announce to one and all that I hereby revert my name from Mehman Nawaz to Ali Nawaz and from today onwards no one is to call me by the name of Mehman Nawaz.

Translated by

Romana Brohi