Lucknow, November 21: The Yogi government on Thursday organized a state-level conference as part of ‘Adoption Awareness Month-2024’ with a focus on rehabilitating older children and providing them with a new direction in life. The event took place at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan’s Mars Auditorium in Lucknow.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur represented the Government of India as the chief guest at the conclave. Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the initiatives and achievements of the Yogi government in the field of rehabilitation of children in need.
The conference, jointly organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and Uttar Pradesh Women and Child Development Department, aimed to raise awareness about adoption and highlight the importance of providing care for older children. and better futures.
Savitri Thakur, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, along with Baby Rani Maurya, Minister for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition of Uttar Pradesh, and State Women Commission Chairperson Babita Chauhan shared their thoughts on the theme ‘Rehabilitation of Older Children ‘. through care and nurturing.”
The main purpose of the event was to raise public awareness about adopting children who are orphaned or lacking family support, and to educate people about the legal process of foster care. Speakers emphasized the importance of sensitivity and acceptance in society to rehabilitate such children and give them a sense of belonging.
During the conclave, Savitri Thakur highlighted that with the support of the Uttar Pradesh government, stakeholders and potential adoptive parents had gathered in Lucknow. She discussed adoption experiences with families and consulted with stakeholders on the legal aspects of the adoption process.
Speaking to the media, she said the theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Rehabilitation of older children through foster care and foster adoption’. The focus is on children aged six years and older, who often experience problems finding adoptive families. For such children, the foster care system offers an alternative, providing temporary family care for those classified as ‘no visitors’ or in the ‘unfit guardians/parents’ category. This approach aims to ensure that these children receive a safe and nurturing environment until a permanent solution is found.
During the conclave, Baby Rani Maurya emphasized that child protection remains a top priority for the Yogi government. She emphasized the proactive role of the government in ensuring the safety, protection and overall well-being of children in the state.
Babita Singh Chauhan, chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, emphasized the importance of placing children in adoptive families that provide a familiar cultural, linguistic and social environment to minimize challenges and promote a sense of belonging.
The event honored adoptive parents who welcomed children into their families through the Caring Portal. Recognized for their inspiring contributions were couples like Gurpreet Singh and Navneet Grewal, Mohd. Arif Khan and Deepti Singh, Virendra and Sharmila Pal, and single parent Dr. Rachna Bharti. Each shared their heartfelt experiences. Additionally, Dr. Shahnawaz, who adopted a child through the foster care system, her inspiring journey.
The program included the presentation of “Kilkarian” – a collection of inspiring adoption stories – and lively cultural performances by children. Highlights included a spirited dance by young children and a group performance by adolescent girls that showcased the life of Rani Laxmi Bai. An exhibition of handmade products made by children received much appreciation from attendees, further celebrating their creativity and potential.
Notably, November is celebrated as National Adoption Awareness Month every year by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This year, the special campaign took place in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the importance of adoption and the well-being of children in need of a family.
The event was graced by several prominent figures including Savitri Thakur, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development; Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Uttar Pradesh; and Pratibha Shukla, Minister of State. Also present were Babita Chauhan, chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Aparna Yadav, vice-chairman of the State Women’s Commission, Anil Malik, secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and Leena Johri, principal secretary, Women and Child Development. Department.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the chairman and members of the State Child Welfare Committee, officials of the medical department, representatives of UNICEF, members of the child helpline, district child protection units, healthcare facilities and specialized adoption agencies. The meeting aimed to promote greater awareness about adoption, child protection and the legal processes involved in adopting or fostering children.
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