Kendrapara, Aug 25: At least four babies comprising three boys and a girl, born at Kendrapara district hospital on August 23 (Wednesday)- were given the name 'Chandrayaan' shortly after India's lunar mission successfully reached the Moon's surface.
They have been bestowed with this name by their elated parents.
“It was a double delight. Our baby was born a few minutes after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. We have decided to name the child after the lunar mission,” said Pravat Mallick, father of one of those four babies.
As per local customs, it is the ritual to name a baby during a puja on the 21st day following birth.
Ranu Mallick, Pravat's wife and a resident of Aripada village, who gave birth to a son, shared that they are contemplating the names "Chandra" or "Luna," both of which carry significance related to the Moon. She further added that the term "Chandrayaan" itself is elegant and stylish, making it an appealing choice for their child's name. A final decision will be made during the 21st day puja ceremony.
“Chandrayaan, however, is a stylish name. We will take a final decision on the 21st day puja,” the mother smiled.
“There’s also a moon mark on the neck of my baby. This is also sufficient to conclude that the child is blessed by Chandra Bhagaban,'” Ranu said.
Among the other parents who named their babies after the lunar mission were Durga Mandal from Talachua village, Joshnyarani Bal from Nilakanthapur, and Bebina Sethi from Angulei village. Durga's child is a girl, while the other two are boys.
Anjana Sahoo, the head nurse at Kendrapara government hospital, remarked, “All new mothers are interested in naming their children after Chandrayaan.”
She recollected instances where babies were named after past cyclones that struck the coastal district.
Dr. P K Praharaj, the Additional District Medical Officer of the hospital, emphasized the parents' sense of privilege, considering their children were born during this historic national achievement. Praharaj highlighted the symbolic alignment, noting that the boy and Chandrayaan both made significant landings simultaneously on Earth and the Moon respectively.
