Iraq (Punjab), September 5
What’s in a name? This Shakespearean expression suited best to this nondescript village, situated around 25 km from Ludhiana, until its namesake nation, Iraq, was ruled by its former President the late Saddam Hussein. All had been going well with the villagers, who often used to boast of their distinctly named village, resembling that of the Gulf nation -- the largest producer of oil across the globe.

But once America attacked Iraq, the namesake of the trouble-torn nation started becoming a cause of concern for this small village too, having a population of around 350. "Welcome to Iraq" reads a signboard showing direction to the village, situated near Machiwara.

About the history of the village, Amritpal Singh says: “After the Partition, the Muslims of this village settled in Sialkot (Pakistan), and the Sikh community there migrated to this place.”

In the early 90s when Iraq (Gulf) was a prosperous nation, the name was a matter of pride for the village. But after the US invasion, officials from immigration agencies to police seek to reconfirm the name of the village.

Manjit Singh alias Soni, a native, says there had never been a problem before the US-Iraq war. “No one in the village has applied for immigration so far. But whenever someone from our village visits a foreign nation, the authorities of the country concerned ask us twice about our village."

Soni experienced a similar situation a few months ago during his trip to Bangkok. "My friends from Ludhiana City got the ticket easily but the visa officer asked me about my village twice and even tried to locate it on Google. I had to show him my identity proof and other documents to reassure that Iraq village exists in Punjab."

A similar incident took place with Kulwinder Singh during his visit to Dubai in 2007. “During the time of security checking, the official posted at Delhi airport checked my passport. After reading the address, he stated inquiring about the village. I showed him my voter identity card and driving licence after which he allowed me to board the flight.”