The temperature here is 35 C and the backdrop is rubber plantations. Welcome to Moscow.

Moscow, Kerala, that is a village in the southern Indian state given its name by local communists, inspired by Soviet Russia.

Lenin, Stalin, Brezhnev and Khrushchev recently gathered here along with Natasha, Tereshkova and Anastasya. Gorbachev failed to show.

In fact, there are six Lenins, two Gagarins and two Pushkins - Indians given Russian names, meeting here to chew the fat on the personalities after whom they were named.

There is a lot of excitement in this rubber growing belt as a van carrying the "personalities" reaches Moscow.

One Lenin, 25, has studied law and is now doing his masters in social work. His parents are staunch communist supporters.

"I am proud to have this name. I have travelled to different parts of India and never come across another Lenin," he says.

Lenin`s parents are staunch communists and their enthusiasm for communism saw them name their son after the Bolshevik leader.

Schoolteacher, Gagarin, 45, says he was named after the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, because he was born in the same year as the historic voyage. Gagarin says his name inspired him to a keen interest in astronomy.

bbc bews
sections: Society