23 October 2011

No Longer Unwanted


In shedding names like some girls chose to name themselves after Bollywood stars like "Aishwarya" or Hindu goddesses like "Savitri." Some just wanted traditional names with happier meanings, such as "Vaishali" or "prosperous, beautiful and good."

"Now in school, my classmates and friends will be calling me this new name, and that makes me very happy," said a 15-year-old girl who had been named Nakusa by a grandfather disappointed by her birth. She chose the new name "Ashmita," which means "very tough" or "rock hard" in Hindi.

 You go girls!

7 comments:

CherryPie said...

A heart warming story. No one should have to be labeled in such a way.

jams o donnell said...

I agree Cherie. It is disgraceful that children were tainted with such names

susan said...

That's an excellent story.

Knatolee said...

It is heartbreaking to look at all those beautiful girls and think that ANYONE could call ANY of them "unwanted." I'm glad they've gotten the chance to choose new names!

jams o donnell said...

Susan, Knatolee it is a terrible story. It is so good to see a terrible injustice righted

Dragonstar said...

What must it be like to spend your life knowing that no-one has ever wanted you? They all look so lovely, and the older ones have so much dignity. I hope this renaming improves their lives.

jams o donnell said...

I really hope so too Dragonstar. Whatever else these girls have to face being called unwanted is a crushing start to what could be a good life