Babies born on day of conquering Moon named ‘Chandrayaan’ in Odisha

At least four babies who were born in the Kendrapara district hospital on August 23 evening were named...

Digital Desk: In a heartwarming tribute to India's recent lunar achievement, several infants born in Odisha's Kendrapara district have been named 'Chandrayaan' after the country's successful Moon mission. The extraordinary event took place shortly after the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 made a triumphant landing on the moon's surface, marking a monumental leap in India's space exploration efforts.

Amidst the joyous celebrations that ensued after the remarkable feat, at least four babies, including three boys and one girl, were welcomed into the world at a local hospital. Bursting with elation over India's unprecedented achievement, the parents of these newborns decided to immortalize the moment by naming their children after the historic lunar mission.

"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," shared Pravat Mallick, a proud father among those who embraced this unique opportunity to pay homage to Chandrayaan-3's success.

Following local tradition, the infants were due to be officially named on the 21st day of their birth, after a puja ceremony. Ranu Mallick, who gave birth to a son, expressed that they were considering names like 'Chandra' or 'Luna,' as they bear significance to the Moon, but the allure of 'Chandrayaan, with its stylish resonance, won them over. "Chandrayaan, however, is a stylish name. We will take a final decision on the 21st day of puja," Ranu added with a smile.

The trend caught on, and parents across the district shared the sentiment of naming their newborns after the landmark event. Durga Mandal of Talachua village, Joshnyarani Bal of Nilakanthapur, and Bebina Sethi of Angulei village were among those who joined in this celebratory tradition. Durga welcomed a baby girl, while the other two were blessed with baby boys, all of whom were given the name 'Chandrayaan' in honor of the nation's space triumph.

Anjana Sahoo, the head nurse at the Kendrapara government hospital, highlighted that this wasn't the first instance of such celebratory naming. She recalled a similar trend when parents named their children after cyclones that impacted the district in the past. Dr. PK Praharaj, Additional District Medical Officer, remarked that the parents' decision to name their babies after Chandrayaan was fueled by a sense of privilege and pride in witnessing a historic moment for the nation.

The remarkable event that inspired these heartfelt names was India's Chandrayaan-3's successful touchdown on the Moon's surface. The achievement, which occurred on Wednesday evening, filled Indians with a deep sense of pride. India achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the only nation to land on the Moon's South Pole, drawing praise and well-wishes from leaders across the globe. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually attended the historic occasion from South Africa, underscoring the significance of this achievement on the world stage.

As the nation basks in the glory of its lunar triumph, the district of Kendrapara stands as a heartwarming testament to the impact of space exploration on the collective consciousness of a people. The name 'Chandrayaan' will forever remind these families of the monumental achievement and the pride they share in their country's strides in the cosmos.