ZAHEER JAN
In every corner of the world, parenthood remains one of the most cherished dreams for couples. The joy of nurturing a child, watching them grows, and building a family is a deeply fulfilling experience. For many, this dream is realized without difficulty. However, for a significant number of couples, the dream of parenthood remains unfulfilled due to the heart-wrenching reality of infertility.
In Jammu and Kashmir, this challenge is becoming increasingly common. Delayed marriages, rising stress levels, and underlying health conditions have contributed to a rise in infertility rates in the region. Despite exhausting all available treatment options, many couples are left struggling with the profound pain of being childless.
The emotional and financial toll of prolonged infertility is staggering, leaving couples feeling hopeless and defeated. In many cases, the dream of starting a family fades, replaced by feelings of isolation and despair.
However, hope shines brightly through the dedicated efforts of the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), operating under Mission Vatsalya. SARA is transforming the lives of childless couples by offering them a meaningful pathway to parenthood through adoption, reshaping the very concept of family, and giving new purpose to the adoption process.
Through adoption, many couples in Jammu and Kashmir and across India are finding renewed purpose and joy in raising children, fulfilling their dream of parenthood, and transforming their lives in the process. Adoption is not merely a legal procedure; it is an act of love, hope, and responsibility. It offers couples who cannot conceive naturally the opportunity to experience the joys of parenthood by nurturing and caring for a child in need of a family. Unfortunately, in India, adoption has often been clouded by misconceptions and a lack of awareness. Many couples hesitate due to societal myths or misunderstandings about the process.
Recognizing this gap, the Government of India, through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), has intensified efforts to promote adoption as a viable, dignified, and heartfelt option for childless couples. In every state and union territory, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), functioning under Mission Vatsalya, serves as a vital link between children in need of families and couples longing to become parents.
SARA is a government initiative designed to streamline and facilitate the adoption process, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and care throughout the journey. The agency provides comprehensive support to both prospective adoptive parents and children awaiting adoption, addressing the emotional, legal, and social aspects involved. By ensuring that the adoption process is smooth, transparent, and timely,
SARA helps couples navigate legal formalities without undue stress. Furthermore, SARA offers counseling services to help couples understand the emotional journey of adoption and prepares them for the responsibilities of parenthood. The agency places a strong emphasis on the welfare and rights of the child, ensuring that every adoption is in the best interest of the child’s growth and development.
Mission Vatsalya and SARA have launched the Phulwari initiative, a home for abandoned babies, across various districts in Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative provides essential care for abandoned and surrendered children until they are adopted. Currently, 12 SAAs Phulwaris are operational in different districts, with the government approving an additional 8 SAAs for other districts to streamline adoption procedures and enhance efficiency.
To further support this cause, Mission Vatsalya has set up Baby Cradle Points at every district hospital and GMCs, providing a safe space for parents who may wish to surrender their child or for those who abandon their children. These Cradle Points offer a secure, anonymous way for children to be handed over, ensuring their safety and well-being.
The Child Welfare Committees (CWC) play an indispensable role in the adoption process, ensuring that abandoned and surrendered children are legally free for adoption. Their involvement is crucial to upholding the legal and ethical standards of child adoption, as they are responsible for certifying that a child’s status of being abandoned or surrendered is legitimate and that they are legally available for adoption.
This ensures that the child’s best interests are safeguarded throughout the process. CWCs, which are present in every district, work in close coordination with adoption agencies and other authorities to ensure that the adoption is transparent and carried out in compliance with all legal requirements.
As part of this legal framework, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) plays a pivotal role in overseeing and streamlining the adoption process at a national level. In alignment with CARA’s objectives, the government launched the CARA portal, an online platform designed to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to the adoption process. The portal serves as a crucial tool for prospective adoptive parents, providing them with a streamlined process to apply for adoption, register their interest, and track the status of their applications.
Prospective parents must first register on the CARA portal, providing comprehensive details about themselves, including their background, financial status, health records, and other personal information. Once the registration is complete, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) verifies all the submitted information to ensure that the applicants meet the eligibility criteria for adoption.
SARA conducts a thorough evaluation of the prospective parents, which includes home visits, interviews, and assessments of their readiness and ability to care for an adopted child. This careful scrutiny ensures that only families who are truly prepared to provide a loving, stable, and supportive environment are considered for adoption.
Once the evaluation is complete, SARA initiates the matching process, where children are paired with families that are best suited to their needs, taking into account factors like age, special requirements, and the family’s capabilities. After the match is made, the final adoption is formalized with the approval of the District Magistrate, ensuring that all legal formalities are met, and the rights of both the child and the adoptive parents are fully protected.
This thorough process guarantees that every adoption is conducted with full transparency, legal compliance, and a deep commitment to the well-being of the child. This structured approach ensures that every child finds a loving and legally sounds home, with full transparency and accountability throughout the adoption process.
Adoption: A Future Full of Smiles
Mission Vatsalya in Jammu and Kashmir Social Welfare Department, through the dedicated efforts of the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) and Child Welfare Committees, has achieved significant success facilitating 115 adoptions since its inception. These include children who were surrendered, abandoned, or orphaned, giving them a second chance at life.
Notably, 4 children found homes through inter-country adoption, reflecting the global impact of this initiative. This transformative mission has not only rekindled hope for childless couples but has also given vulnerable children the greatest gift of all a loving family, a sense of belonging, and a promising future.
Dr. Khair Ul Nisa, a renowned Juvenile Justice expert and Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Srinagar, emphasized that adoption is not merely about finding a home for a child, but about creating a future filled with love, happiness, and boundless opportunities. Each successful adoption, she stated, brings profound joy and fulfillment to both the child and the adoptive parents, transforming their lives in ways words cannot fully capture.
Dr Khair Ul Nisa shared that, till date, 17 children in Srinagar district have been placed for adoption, with adoptive parents coming from various states within India, as well as from other countries. Dr. Nisa mentioned the overwhelming joy she witnessed on the faces of adoptive couples during the process.
She observed that the happiness of these couples, as they welcomed their new children into their lives, was nothing short of transformative an expression of pure love and gratitude. For her, it was a powerful reminder of the life changing impact adoption can have on all those involved.
Another Child Rights Expert and Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Budgam, Afshan Paul shared that 16 children from the district have been successfully placed for adoption so far, with adoptive parents coming from various states across India, as well as from abroad. She also highlighted that some prominent couples, including IAS officers, have adopted children from Budgam SAA, a testament to the trust and faith in the district’s adoption process.
Afshan Paul emphasized that adoption is far more than just a procedural formality. It represents an opportunity for children to embark on a new chapter in their lives, offering them the chance to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment. Adoption, she said, creates an unbreakable bond of love between the child and their new family, a connection that lasts a lifetime and brings joy and hope to everyone involved. Each adoption, she believes, is a step toward building a better future for the child and the parents, one filled with endless possibilities.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Adoption awareness is still limited in some areas, and societal stigma about childlessness and adoption can deter couples. The legal and administrative processes, though improved, sometimes require further streamlining to reduce delays. Ensuring post-adoption support and counseling is also crucial to help families adjust and thrive. The Government and SARA under Mission Vatsalya continue to work on these fronts, aiming to make adoption an even more accessible and respected option.
Conclusion
The State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) under Mission Vatsalya embodies the spirit of “Adoption with Purpose.” It is not just a government program but a beacon of hope for childless couples and orphaned children alike. By transforming lives, breaking barriers, and building families, SARA is redefining parenthood in Jammu and Kashmir.
For couples facing the pain of infertility, adoption offers a beautiful, purposeful path to parenthood. For children without families, it opens doors to love, security, and a bright future. Together, through SARA and Mission Vatsalya, the dream of a family is being realized one child, one couple, and one loving home at a time.
(The Author is Sr. Pediatric Rehab Therapist & Social Worker (MSW) Working for Disability & Child Rights. Feedback: [email protected] )
