Let's start, though, at the very beginning.

There are many ways of seeing in the new millennium. The trick is to think exotic: A champagne party on Niagara Falls, a ballooning expedition high above Antarctica, a trek in the Amazon rain forests...Things you've never done before, and not likely to do again.

Well, good thinking, but those who want something they'd never forget in their lives are going for the Millennium Baby. That's what many couples are planning the world over, and in India too. By common consent (with some exceptions), the ideal date for conception is April 9; delivery on January 1, 2000, while not guaranteed, is most likely.

In Gujarat, however, the trend is yet to catch on. Gynaecologists whom Express Newsline spoke to in Ahmedabad and Vadodara didn't seem to fired up by the concept, an affliction that seems to have spread to their potential patients.

There seems to be much cynicism within the gynaecs community whether such events could be timed. ``Such perfect timing can only be achieved through a Caesarean delivery'', says Dr Mukul Shah of Ahmedabad.

Indeed, there is some doubt over whether April 9 is at all the D-Day. Dr Neeruben Shah, who attributes her interest and enthusiasm to reports received from her sister in the US, says by her calculations a woman would have to conceive on March 23 to deliver on January 1, 2000.

Dr Kalpana A Patel, who treats a wide cross-section of patients, says: ``Till date I have not received any couple planning a millennium baby. Maybe they are keeping their plans secret. We'll have a better idea in May or June,m when couples come for confirmation of pregnancy. In fact, we can ask them whether the pregnancy was planned or accidental.''

Of all the doctors spoken to, only Dr Shaila Patel of Vadodara said she knew of a couple planning for the millennium. However, she was unable to give their names for fear of breaching confidentiality. ``Some time ago, I had come across couples wanting to conceive or wanting delivery in an auspicious period as per the Hindu calender,'' says Dr Sunil Vaid. ``However, I don't recollect them having followed up the case.''

And the importance of a millennium baby pales in comparison to other, probably more practical, factors that have to be accounted for. As Dr Nilotpala Mehta says, parents today plan their children with a school calendar in mind.

Another reason why the concept has caught on in the West is the range of drugs to induce ovulation and aid conception, says Dr Mehta. These drugs are either not available in India or are not well-known.

So then, from Bhuj to Bharuch, is it going to be sev-ganthia and mocktails on New Year's Day? Given the Gujarati's trademark enterprise, however, there are probably a few surprises in store.