Nakusha, or Nakushi, is a derogatory given name that means "unwanted" in the Indian language Marathi, given by some parents in rural Maharashtra, India, to unwanted female children,[1][2] in the belief that doing so will ensure that their next child is a boy.[2]

A government campaign exists to find such girls, and allow them to officially change their names.[3] In the Satara district, girls named "Nakusha" or "Nakushi" are renamed, automatically enrolled in school and granted free transport to school, while parents of these children obtain free food.[4]

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References

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  1. ^ "'Unwanted' Indian girls get new start in name ceremony". BBC News. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b Kher, Swatee (23 October 2011). "A New Name For Nakushi". Indian Express.
  3. ^ "End 'Nakusha' campaign: Girls no more unwanted". Zee News. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  4. ^ Deshpande, Haima (26 July 2012). "Incités à aimer leur fille". Courrier international (in French).