It’s Neeraj (नीरज) - Not Niraj… Period!!

I was named Neeraj — a name chosen with love and purpose by my father. It’s not just a name; it’s a story, a legacy, and a reflection of who I strive to be. The name traces its roots to the pen name of the renowned Hindi poet, Gopaldas Saxena "Neeraj", whose words and spirit continue to inspire generations.

A Picture captured on my way to Joshimath

In Devanagari, it's spelled as नीरज, with a deliberate and graceful elongation in the syllable “नी” — pronounced "Nee". This elongation is not just linguistic; it symbolizes something far deeper for me: longevity, persistence, and continuity. These are qualities I strive to embody in life, work, and relationships.

The literal meaning of Neeraj is lotus — a flower that blooms in muddy waters. It represents beauty, clarity, and resilience rising from challenging circumstances. Knowing this, you can imagine why it hurts a little every time someone reduces it to “Niraj” or “निरज” — altering both its meaning and sound.

Spelling, and especially pronouncing, proper nouns correctly is not a trivial detail. It’s a sign of respect. Names are not just labels; they are identities, cultural markers, and often carry profound meanings or personal stories. When someone corrects you on the pronunciation or spelling of their name, they’re not being difficult — they’re simply asking to be seen and acknowledged as they truly are.

For me, this has meant regularly correcting people — in schools, workplaces, documents, and conversations. And while it can feel tedious, I see it as an important practice. I believe setting the right expectation from the beginning — by correcting mispronunciations or misspellings early — is a good habit. It’s a simple but powerful way of establishing mutual respect. In professional settings, getting someone’s name right is often the first act of trust-building. Whether it's the start of a conversation, a meeting, or a business relationship — names matter. Taking the effort to spell and pronounce them correctly sends a clear message: I see you, and I respect who you are.

So no, it’s not “Niraj.” It’s Neeraj — नीरज — a name given with intention, and one I carry with pride.