Concern raised over decline in child adoptions in Nagaland

Kohima, 15 February (MTNews): Richa Ojha, the Deputy Director of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, expressed apprehension regarding the decreasing rate of child adoptions in Nagaland. She conveyed her concerns while addressing the Nagaland state orientation training on Adoption Regulations 2022 in Kohima today.

Ojha emphasized CARA’s mission to promote in-country adoptions and facilitate state adoptions. She mentioned the active efforts being made to include two new categories of children in the adoption process. These categories encompass children of unfit parents, such as those who are mentally challenged or serving jail sentences without adequate social support systems. Additionally, children in Child Care Institutions whose parents or guardians have not visited them for over a year are also being considered for adoption.

Guidelines have been distributed to all districts to identify such children, along with those who are abandoned, orphaned, or surrendered. Ojha introduced CARA’s foster care module, designed to allow fit families willing to provide temporary care to be considered for placement. She underscored the positive role of foster care in providing a nurturing environment before adoption and emphasized the crucial role played by state and district machinery and all associated agencies.

Tosheli Zhimomi, the Social Welfare Director and CEO & Member Secretary of the State Adoption Resource Agency, delivered the keynote address. She acknowledged Nagaland’s prevalent kinship adoption practices but highlighted the limitations and challenges in ensuring the best interests of the child in every case. Zhimomi also underscored the far-reaching societal impacts of adoption.