Consul of the Russian Federation: Names by surnames of Russian writers remain popular in southern India

Surnames of Russian writers as well as Soviet cosmonauts and political figures remain popular as first names in south India. This was announced to TASS by Ratish Nair, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation and Director of the Russian House in Trivandrum.

"In South India, it is still customary to name children after prominent Russian writers, Soviet cosmonauts and political figures. Children who are born are named Pushkin, Gagarin, Lenin,” Nair said.

According to the Russian Honorary Consul, the most popular of these names is Pushkin. “We are very fond of Russian literature. In Kerala lives Pushkin, who was named after the great poet, and he too started writing poetry - as he was so inspired by the Russian writer," said the director of the Russian House in Trivandrum.

He also recalled that every year the Russian Honorary Consulate organises a general meeting of residents of southern India who are named after prominent Russian figures. One such event took place in a village called Moscow, 100 kilometres from Trivandrum.

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