Leaplings: Celebrate once every four years, age gracefully!

New Delhi 29 Feb 2024 (VNI) Every four years, a leap year brings with it an extra day, February 29, to synchronize the calendar with Earth's orbit around the Sun. This phenomenon, known as a leap year, results from the fact that Earth takes slightly more than 365 days to complete its orbit. This additional day impacts individuals born on February 29, who are often called "leapers."

Due to the rarity of their birthdate, leapers experience unique birthday celebrations. While they typically choose another date to celebrate annually, their age technically progresses slower than others'. For administrative purposes, some leapers must officially list their birth date as either February 28 or March 1, depending on the country's regulations.

Estimates suggest that around 5 million people worldwide share a Leap Day birthday, which accounts for approximately 0.06% of the global population. Among the notable individuals born on February 29 are Morarji Desai, a former Indian prime minister and freedom fighter born in 1896, who celebrated only 24 birthdays despite living for 99 years. Prakash Nanjappa, an Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Indian shooter born in 1976, is another noteworthy leapling, having achieved several accolades in his career.

Rukmini Devi, born on February 29, 1904, was a legendary Bharatanatyam dancer and the founder of Kalakshetra. These individuals celebrate their birthdays annually like everyone else, but their official birthday only occurs every four years.