Himachal's 21 little lives find families, more await a loving home

In the past three years, 21 children in Himachal Pradesh have been adopted into loving families, thanks to the efforts of the state government to secure the future of those who lost their parents.

On Monday, another child from Shishu Grih, Tutikandi in Shimla, found a new family under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam Kashyap. The DC appealed to well-off families to come forward and adopt children living in Shishu Grihs and Bal-Balika Ashrams, ensuring them a safe and bright future.

District Programme Officer Shimla, Mamta Paul, explained that adoption applications are processed strictly as per rules under the Juvenile Justice Act. Only families fulfilling all legal and eligibility criteria are approved.

She emphasised that in India, adoptions are governed by the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The process is overseen by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), while specialised adoption agencies handle cases at the state level.

Paul outlined that the legal process involves: Online registration through CARA; home Study Reports by social workers; referral of child profiles to prospective parents; pre-adoption foster care; and final court orders.

Families must provide identity, income, health and marital documents, along with medical clearance. Post-adoption follow-ups are conducted every six months for two years to ensure the child’s well-being.

She added that citizens, NRIs and even foreign nationals can adopt, including single parents and married couples.