In recent years, scientists from around the globe have been continuously flocking to a small Indian village (in pursuit) of answers to an ever intriguing phenomenon. They are simply boggled and are trying to pin down the reason why an extraordinary large number of identical twins are born there. One in ten births in the little dusty village of Mohammad Pur Umri, near Allahabad, involve twins, most of whom are identical.

In recent years, scientists from around the globe have been continuously flocking to a small Indian village in pursuit of answers to an ever (intriguing) phenomenon. They are simply boggled and are trying to pin down the reason why an extraordinary large number of identical twins are born there. One in ten births in the little dusty village of Mohammad Pur Umri, near Allahabad, involve twins, most of whom are identical.

The global statistics reveal that the odds for a woman giving birth to identical twins is 1 in 300. With such odds over the last decade or so, it is (baffling) that the number of twin births has gone up significantly in Umri, despite the high rates of infant mortality.

The global statistics reveal that the odds for a woman giving birth to identical twins is 1 in 300. With such odds over the last decade or so, it is baffling that the number of twin births has gone up significantly in Umri, despite the high rates of infant (mortality).

However, scientists remain (ambivalent) as to whether twinning is entirely a chance phenomenon. DNA experts are hopeful that the blood samples of Umri’s residents would provide links and clues as to whether there is a genetic basis for the occurrence and whether the DNA rearrangement during the embryonic development is the reason for the phenomenon.

One of the theories (postulated) is that the twin birth phenomenon correlates with the rampant marriages between relatives, a trend which is acceptable and even encouraged in the village. While the villagers do admit that marriages between relatives are an infrequent norm, they nevertheless refute the theory of inbreeding as the basis for these unusual incidents of twin births.

One of the theories postulated is that the twin birth phenomenon correlates with the rampant marriages between relatives, a trend which is acceptable and even encouraged in the village. While the villagers do admit that marriages between relatives are an infrequent norm, they nevertheless (refute) the theory of inbreeding as the basis for these unusual incidents of twin births.

The villagers contend that marriages between relatives also occur in other villages around India. Yet, these places do not reflect the high statistics of twins at Umri. “We believe these twins are a gift from God, and there is nothing to explain this,’ village leader Netaji explained. “The land of this area, between the two great rivers, Ganges and Yamuna, is very fertile. That is why this (phenomenon) occurs. Whether it’s sugar cane or twin children, this land has always been fertile.”

Scientists find this explanation in (contradiction) with their scientific basis of rationalizing things, but many of the other villagers are in agreement with their village leader. Abu Saad, one of the villagers, offered a convincing explanation. “This phenomenon is partly a gift of nature, and partly a gift of the land of this village. There’s something in the soil that produces so many identical twins,” he concurred.

Scientists find this explanation in contradiction with their scientific basis of rationalizing things, but many of the other villagers are in agreement with their village leader. Abu Saad, one of the villagers, offered a convincing explanation. “This phenomenon is partly a gift of nature, and partly a gift of the land of this village. There’s something in the soil that produces so many identical twins,” he (concurred).