Abbreviations in Hindi are formed by the use of a dot or small circle (970 ॰ DEVANAGARI ABBREVIATION SIGN) after the first syllable of the word that needs to be abbreviated. For example, ईस्वी पूर्व is being written as ई॰ पू॰and Dr. Ram Sharan Sharma will be written as डा॰ रा॰ एस॰ शर्मा or डा. रा. एस. शर्मा.