ISC Topper Srijani Drops Surname to Promote Equality and Humanism

A Kolkata student named Srijani made it to the headlines for scoring a perfect 400 in the ISC Class 12 exams. However, the marks are only half the story-her courageous decision of dropping the surname from the examination form attracted immense media coverage. She went ahead and marked “Humanism” for religion on the form.

Srijani currently resides in Ranikuthi in the Tollygunge area of Kolkata with her parents. Her father, Debashis Goswami, is a teacher of sociology at the Indian Statistical Institute, and her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, is a teacher at Gurudas College. Srijani's parents are very proud not only of her academic achievements but also of her strong will.

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Why Srijani dropped her surname

Talking to PTI, Srijani said she believed in a world where, no matter caste, religion, gender, or background, people would be treated equally; therefore, doing away with her surname was an option.

“I’ve always been known by just my first name by friends and loved ones,” she said.

“I don’t feel the need to carry a surname that can sometimes show social or religious identity. I want to be known for who I am, not what my name says about where I come from,” she said, adding that she made this decision with full support from her family and friends.

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“We raised both our daughters to be independent and fair-minded,” said her mother. “Even when we applied for their birth certificates, we didn’t use any surname. I don’t use my husband’s surname either.”

A staff member at Future Foundation School said, “Students are free to leave out their surname if they want. It’s completely legal.”

Srijani plans to be a research scholar

Srijani aims to pursue scientific research like her father, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee-the highest award in the domain of science and technology.

Besides being an excellent student, she has a social conscience. Srijani had taken part in the “Women Reclaim the Night” protest on 14 August, which was called after the rape and murder of a medical student from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Srijani said the protest had no bearing on her studies.

“I always found time to talk and relax with my parents, sister, and close friends,” she said. “I don’t see myself as someone who only studies all the time.”

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