Mahatma Anaiya

When Anaiya was born on October 2^nd, there was an immediate connection between her and Mahatma Gandhi because they shared the same birth date.  Many of our family members and friends voiced their pleasure that Anaiya was born on such an auspicious date.

It turns out that the same birth date is just one of the many similarities between Anaiya and Gandhi.  First off, Gandhi was often half-naked in a dhoti and shawl, and Anaiya is often half-naked in a diaper.  Also, Gandhi was a vegetarian and a fruitarian during parts of his life, and Anaiya’s dad was a vegetarian and Anaiya’s mom ate a lot of fruit during the pregnancy. 

But it’s more than just obvious similarities.  There are other coincidences and connections, including that Gandhi’s birth date is a national holiday in India called Gandhi Jayanti, which contains all the letters in Anaiya’s name.  Plus, Anaiya’s paternal grandmother’s first cousin’s grandson married Gandhi’s great granddaughter (no lie). 

If you think these are all superficial similarities and coincidences, then here’s an undeniable connection that will make you pause in disbelief:  Mohandas (Gandhi’s actual first name) is loosely translated into “To serve” and Gandhi means “Sun,” so Gandhi’s full name means “To Serve the Sun.”  Anaiya means “She who brings Sunshine.” 

Need I say more?  What do you think?