(Pic courtesy: India Today)
Pregnancy Tourism: This might surprise you but it has become a fact that each year, millions of tourists travel to Ladakh, for the cause of getting pregnant by none other than sperms of Aryan race. The reason is that a community here is known to be coming from Pure Aryan race. While the stories of serene snow-capped valleys and unmatched natural beauty in Lakakh has been known since centuries, however, the story of pregnancy tourism is slowly garnering attraction and traction on social media. It is because hidden within this landscape lies a remote cluster of villages that has recently drawn global attention for a far more unusual reason.
A Valley of Myths and Magnetism
In the four secluded villages of Dah, Hanu, Darchik, and Garkone, lives the Brokpa (or Brokya) tribe, a community long romanticized as the “last pure Aryans.” Known for their striking blue eyes, tall stature, and fair complexion, they have been the subject of fascination for both travelers and researchers.
Local folklore claims that the Brokpas are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great, who allegedly remained in the region after the 326 BC campaign.
A Strange Trend: ‘Pregnancy Tourism’
What has recently pushed this valley into global headlines is the rise of what locals describe as “pregnancy tourism.”
After reading sensational claims online, some women from the US and European countries travel to these villages hoping to conceive children with Brokpa men—believing the offspring will inherit “pure Aryan features,” including blue eyes and exceptional height. Many of these men, villagers say, are even paid for such arrangements.
Online agents have amplified this trend, offering profiles of Brokpa men along with curated descriptions of their appearance, feeding into the mythology surrounding the community.
Science Says Otherwise
Geneticists and historians, however, strongly reject the idea of the Brokpas being pure Aryan descendants.
According to academic research, no scientific evidence supports claims of an unbroken lineage from Alexander’s soldiers. Experts caution that these myths have been repeatedly manufactured and romanticized—especially on the internet.
The CBI Steps In
As these practices came to light, a CBI court in New Delhi initiated an inquiry into the alleged networks facilitating such “pregnancy tourism.” Notices have been issued to clarify the process, payments, and the involvement of agents.
Some women who travelled reportedly backed out, while others went through with the arrangements—suggesting a murky system where foreign clients pay until conception is confirmed, and local young men receive substantial compensation.
Between Myth, Reality, and Exploitation
While the Brokpas’ distinct cultural identity is well-preserved and celebrated, the myths surrounding their ancestry have led to exploitation, misinformation, and international curiosity bordering on obsession.
What remains clear is that the internet has turned a once-isolated community into a global curiosity, entwining folklore, genetics, and modern-day commercial interests in a way few could have imagined.