William Shakespeare wrote – “What is in a name? A rose would smell as sweet as it smells, even if called by any other name! A rose is a rose is a rose!” A controversy in the issue of naming a lion and a lioness makes us recall the great play wright.
A seven year old lion named Akbar and a six year old lioness named Sita were sent by Tripura forest officials to Siliguri in West Bengal to be used for wild-life Safari. There were widespread protests against the names. It was stated that Akbar was a secular Mughal Emperor and Sita is worshipped as a Goddess and that the names must therefore be changed.
This insignificant matter became a burning problem. The protesters have moved the court. There were several hearing sessions. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has agreed to re-name the lion and the lioness. The proposed names have been sent to them. We have to wait and see what names are given. Advocate Joyjit Choudhury of West Bengal does not seem to have patience to wait till the parents are renamed. He has declared, when the couple gives birth to cubs in future, those new names will also be changed as Suraj and Tanaya and the cubs will be given names acceptable to all.
Now, this is what we call “Storm in a tea cup” – a simple matter blown up to alarming proportions needlessly. All the really burning problems have been placed on the back burner. Akbar and Sita are at the top of the list!
