A curious conundrum has taken root in the sandy heart of the Thar, where an otherwise unassuming village near Barmer in Rajasthan is facing an identity crisis, not of its people, but of its name. Despite the village, its streets, and its residents remaining unchanged, the name displayed across official boards and documents varies wildly, creating confusion for locals and visitors alike. Dialects And Definitions Government documents refer to the village as ‘Para’, a term rooted in the local dialect meaning a specific direction or settlement. This version is also emblazoned on the signage of the village’s sub-health centre. However, the welcome board at the entrance to the village boldly declares its name as ‘Pada’, which in the regional language implies the settlement of a particular community or neighbour. To further complicate matters, the local government-run school is registered as ‘Paro’, specifically Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalaya Vindaniyon Ki Dhani, Paro. In local usage, ‘Paro’ typically denotes something that lies ‘within’ or ‘beyond’ a particular area. This trifecta of identities, that is, Para, Pada, and Paro, has left even villagers scratching their heads, unsure which name to use in official matters. A fourth variation, also ‘Parah’, appears on roadside signage, only adding to the chaos. Impact On Documents And Public Schemes The naming discrepancy isn’t merely a linguistic quirk; it’s having serious repercussions. Located approximately 30 kilometres from Barmer district headquarters, the village’s residents report inconsistencies across crucial documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, land records, and leases, with names alternating between ‘Paro’ and ‘Para’. This mismatch has hindered access to banking services, school enrolments, and government welfare schemes, with many residents being denied benefits due to name mismatches. A Call For Consistency Locals say they often struggle to convince officials and service providers that the differing names refer to the same place. “If the school says ‘Paro’ and the health centre says ‘Para’, even we don’t know which one is right anymore”, one resident remarked. Until a unified naming standard is adopted across all government departments and services, the village will continue to wrestle with the strange burden of having too many names, but no clear identity.