PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) minister, Rekha Arya, unveiled a special poster for the child helpline 1098 during a one-day programme held on Friday to mark adoption month. During the occasion, Arya emphasised that it is the responsibility of the society to ensure that no child remains orphaned and that every child receives proper nutrition and care. She said that when a couple considers adopting an orphan, it reflects God’s special mercy upon them.
Arya stated that a child’s respect and affection for their parents are determined not by blood relationships but by the values instilled in them. At the event, she honoured adoptive parents from various States. She also shared that, to date, a total of 185 children have been adopted in the State, with 29 of those adoptions made by NRI (Non-Resident Indian) parents. Among these, nine children with special needs have been adopted, but she noted that this number needs to increase.
Notably, since 2016, a total of 185 children (156 from India and 29 from abroad) have been placed for adoption through Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). This includes nine children in the special needs category (disabled), with eight of these children being adopted abroad and one within the country. For more information regarding adoption, individuals apart from contacting the Child Welfare Committee and the District Probation Office/District Child Protection Unit operating in their district, or they can also call the child helpline at 1098. According to officials, the programme was attended by six families who had legally adopted through CARA and four prospective adoptive families.
