TN cuts down red tape for adoptions

TN cuts down red tape for adoptions

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 (Cuddalore):

While the tsunami disaster affected many people across Asia, the one helpless section that is facing the brunt is that of countless children who have been orphaned in this tragedy.

In a district like Cuddalore, while one may have some estimates of the number of dead, it's hard to put a figure on those orphaned.

Aid agencies have said at least a third of those affected are children. While more than 600 have died, the administration has only found 25 orphans who they picked up from various relief camps.

They admit that till now, no formal drive has been done to collect the orphans, and they have just the word of villagers to rely upon.

"When we go to take the orphans, the villagers tend to hold on to them. Because so many children have died, they feel an attachment to them," said CK Gariyali, Relief Commissioner.

Govt responsibility

According to Tamil Nadu's policy, these children are a responsibility of state and will stay at government orphanages till they are adopted.

The government has offered an amount of Rs 5 lakh for every child, which can be accessed by them once they are 18.

However, they have also welcomed any family who would like to take the children in.

To enable the adoption, authorities in Tamil Nadu are now trying to cut down red tape and paperwork for those families who want to adopt an orphaned child.

The legal procedure of adoption takes around six months and once interested parents write or fax the district collector, they are put in contact with the social welfare officer.

"People can easily access our website for information or write to us," said Gagandeep Bedi, District Collector.

For the orphaned children, the paperwork will be relatively quick, as their backgrounds have already been checked.

Finding loving homes

Till the legalities are worked out, the children, some of whom are mere babies, will stay in the district where the villagers can visit them.

People can easily access our website for information or write to us.

- Gagandeep Bedi,
District Collector

State officials say if anyone wants to help the children while they are in orphanages, they could donate things like computers, TVs, fridge, toys, Tamil books and computers.

For all such orphaned babies, the need of the hour is a secure, loving home.

For anyone wishing to adopt the orphans, it will be a matter of time and patience before the procedures are over and done with.

But once that hurdle is past, they can have the pleasure of getting a homeless orphan home and lighting up their life as well.

(With PTI inputs)