Hundreds of Indian girls whose names mean “unwanted” in Hindi chose new names Saturday for a fresh start in life.
Central Indian district officials held a renaming ceremony giving the girls official certificates touting their new names, hoping it will help fight widespread discrimination.
They shed names like “Nakusa” or “Nakushi,” which mean “unwanted”, in favor of Bollywood celebrities names like “Aishwarya” or Hindu goddess names like “Savitri.”
(READ the AP story w/ photo in MSNBC)