Public functions often begin with a flourish of titles that can be more distracting than enlightening. The master of ceremonies may open with, “May I now invite Sir George…” or “We are honoured to welcome the Lady Wife of the Hon’ble MLA…” These introductions, while well‑meaning, can blur the actual roles of the guests.
The use of Sir is reserved for men who have been formally knighted by the British monarch. A teacher named George who has not received such an honour should be addressed as “Good morning, Sir” when speaking directly, or “Mr George” when referring to him by name. Using Sir for a non‑knighted individual merely inflates the formality without adding respect.
Similarly, the title Lady Wife is not a standard English designation. The spouse of an MLA or minister should be introduced simply as Mrs. [Name] or by her own professional title. The word lady carries historical connotations that are inappropriate for a generic spouse and can lead to unnecessary embellishment.
The term Chief Guest has been discouraged by the Nagaland government since 2018, when the PDA Cabinet decided that ministers, MLAs and officials would no longer be elevated to ceremonial VIP status at public events. Organisers should instead invite such figures as participants, speakers or dignitaries, following the state’s anti‑VIP protocol. By keeping titles accurate and concise, we preserve respect without resorting to grandiose ceremony.
