: Stalin, Khrushchev, Lenin and Pushkin took time off from their hectic schedule to "come together" on a single platform here to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Indo-Russian diplomatic relations.
The unique gathering of Malayalees named after well known Russians was organised by Russian Cultural Centre here last evening as part of the evens in connection with the anniversary.
Over 30 persons from different parts of Kerala came together at the function, including the youngest - three-year-old Ila Kransny and the oldest 60-year-old Khrushchev.
Russian Cultural Centre director Ratheesh C Nair said the trend of having Russian names was unique to Kerala as it shows affinity to the country's literature and politics.
Three Stalins, six Lenins, and two Pushkins were among those who turned up yesterday.
Pravada (32), a police constable at Vizhinjam, said she always loved her unique name. She also explained that her parents had named her after a popular Russian newspaper.
Her daughter is named Volga, after the longest river in Europe.
V G Pushkin, a senior manager with Indian Overseas Bank, said his father, a teacher and staunch Communist, named him after the famed Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.
"During my childhood there were many Russian publications which were read at home and my family was impressed with Pushkin," he told PTI.
Pushkin said he, however, regretted not giving his two daughters Russian names.
Akil, a communist and father of Ila Krasny, a research scholar in Mathematics, said his daugter's name was a combination of Sanskrit and Russian words.
Ila means 'earth' and Krasny means 'red', he added.
Lenin Lal, another research scholar in history at Kerala University, said he was happy to get a historical name.
"Due to this rare name, I get lot of attention," he said.
The Communist influence is considered the main reason for Russian names becoming popular in Kerala, most of which are associated with the Soviet era.
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