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Journalism of Courage
Anupam Mittal, entrepreneur and founder of Shaadi.com, is known for championing bold ideas in business. His latest viral moment is rooted in something deeply personal: Fatherhood.
In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, Mittal opened up about a choice he and his wife made when naming their daughter. The post is accompanied by a touching picture of him holding his young daughter, Alyssa, and it has struck a chord with many across social media for its quiet defiance of patriarchal norms.
“When my daughter, Alyssa, was born, we wanted to ‘decide’ her middle name. Traditionally in most parts of India, that’s not how it’s done. The father’s first name automatically gets passed down. And in case it’s a girl, it later gets replaced by her husband’s name,” Mittal wrote in his post.
It’s a practice so deeply embedded in tradition that, as Mittal points out, “most don’t question it.” But he and his wife did. Instead of going with the conventional “Alyssa Anupam,” the couple chose to name her “Alyssa Anantara”.
“Anantara – which means limitless. Rooted in Ananta, another name for Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom,” Mittal wrote.
Mittal reflected on how even something as seemingly small as a name can carry weight and meaning. “It’s a small thing. A name. But also…not so small.”
The post also touched on a broader issue – how women are so often introduced in relation to the men in their lives—someone’s daughter, wife, or mother. “We just wanted her to start as herself,” Mittal said.
Mittal humbly notes that this isn’t a world-changing act, but for them, it was a meaningful beginning. “This wasn’t a grand gesture. It won’t change the world. But for us, it felt like the right place to begin.”
He concluded his post with, “We believe in equality. In her, In her choices, In her future! And that felt enough.”
The post has since gained widespread attention, with people praising the gesture and reflecting on how change often begins at home.
An individual wrote, “Parents like you set the gold standard for nurturing daughters–not by imposing societal expectations, but by empowering them to forge their own paths. It’s truly inspiring to see a father who encourages his child to grow authentically, embracing her unique journey rather than conforming to external pressures. Your approach exemplifies the perfect blend of professionalism and heartfelt parenting. Thank you for sharing this beautiful perspective.”
Another person commented, “This is so wonderful. She would grow up and remember this at every pivots of life. These gestures may seem small. But for her, I bet would give her the strength to keep going and shine as she is. This one story behind her middle name would help her stand up for herself when time demands. Thank you for inspiring Anupam.”
