Vinayak and Me

Professor Chaturvedi’s name first just seemed like a unique coincidence, with his grandmother Bai’s encounter with Dr Parchure. However it was more than that, and in fact his name was attached to more past and present politics that took Professor Chaturvedi time to uncover. Taking on the name of Vinayak was more than just out of respect for the doctor – family tradition sometimes calls for a child to be given a name years after their birth. Oftentimes we are given names that really have no meaning at all, while other times the names given to us hold more meaning then most of us know. In the Filipino culture, it is customary for the parents to give their children a middle name that is the same as their mother’s maiden name. There is no specific reason why most Filipino’s do this, but it is mostly due to the fact that the wives lose their last names once they are married. The children’s names are meant to really carry on or at least hold a part of their mother’s name that was lost in wedlock. Somewhat similar to Professor Chaturvedi’s naming – he was to take on a name that would hold meaning in the future. Vinayak Savarkar may no longer be alive, but his name lives on even in Professor Chaturvedi’s name. This mere connection alone caused Professor Chaturvedi to investigate the origin of his name, thus uncovering more about the nationalist Savarkar. Dr Parchure’s involvement amongst “Hindu nationalist intellectuals” was what allured Professor Chaturvedi (215). However it was his works with and comparison to Savarkar are what probably caused him to ask Bai to name her grandson Vinayak in "honour of Savarkar" and to promote the "ideologies of his guru" (223).