title: Insensitivity of editors and indexers regarding the cultural variations of authors' surnames.
abstract: Surnames, although widely used, are not obligatory in many parts of the world. This communication describes the hurdles and humiliations suffered by Oriental and South Indian authors who do not have a surname. A novel solution to the problem of author surnames is also proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raveenthiran
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001319:Authorship; D035843:Biomedical Research; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009275:Names; D011643:Publishing
keywords: author surname; editorial diversity; research integrity