Showing the door to ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’
The Hindu
While the colonial salutations are being given a quiet burial, it will be interesting to watch what comes up in their place
“Panchayat in Kerala bans ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’ in its office,” said a recent headline. People seeking services from the said panchayat could address the officials by their names or designations. The report further said the local body had asked the Official Language Department to suggest alternatives to ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’. It viewed the use of those salutations as a dark reminder of a regressive colonial past.
While completely understanding the basis of the ban, I was left wondering how a person having interacted with a certain panchayat official could start addressing the latter by name or designation all of a sudden.
As a way out of the possible embarrassment or awkwardness that may arise, the panchayat has suggested the usage of the popular cheta (elder brother) or chechi (elder sister). What if a septuagenarian is seeking a service from a thirty-something official? Does he still address the official as cheta or chechi?