Mumbai: In a landmark move that will be seen by many as a sign of Indian society shaking off the last of its patriarchal shackles, the state education department, in a circular issued to all the schools in the state, has instructed them to accept the middle and last name of a single mother in the child's records from the new academic year.
Single mothers will, however, have to produce documentation to support their single mom status, such as a copy of the divorce order or proof of custody of the child.
The move has brought much joy to estranged wives, divorced women and single adoptive parents. Niloufer Mistry, a single mom from Babulnath, who recently adopted abandoned Orissa twins Suruchi and Suniti, said, "It is a wonderful thing. My children don't have proper birth certificates or a last name and have been forced to go by their first names since I am still completing the adoption legalities. I faced many problems getting them admission into kindergarten because of my single status."
Francis Swamy, Principal of Holy Family High School, Andheri, and member of the SSC board, said, "In today's scenario, when a single woman can bear the burden of her entire family, why should the privilege of giving her name to her child be denied to her. It is, after all, a matter of dignity."