Date:13/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/13/stories/2008091358510600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Call to adopt child with a humane approcah

Staff Reporter

Avoid mere implementation of rules: Collector

THENI: Make child adoption more humane and effective and ensure safety to adopted child. Implementation of adoption law should be prompt, said Collector S.J. Chiru.

He was addressing a special meeting to create an awareness of adoption law and procedures among the public and representatives of various non-governmental organisations here on Thursday.

Sensitivity and security of the child to be adopted are more important than any other things in adoption procedure.

Everyone should ensure that the adopted child would be looked after properly and carefully, he added. “Humane approach is essential rather than mere implementing rules and regulations of adoption.”

“Children have been facing danger of child trafficking, abduction and other child-related abuses. We must be careful in preventing children from being exploited by such anti-social activities.”

Adoption should be done legally. Stake holders must understand the rules and regulations of adoption fully well before adopting child, Mr. Chiru said.

It is not like implementing any other government programmes.

Lives of poor and innocent unlucky children were involved in it. Psychological, mental and social involvement is required for the welfare of child, he said.

“The adopted child enjoys all the right of the biological child.”

“If you are a Hindu male, over 21 years, single and of sound mind, you can adopt a child according to The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act that came into force in 1956. If the person is a married Hindu male, he can adopt the child only with the consent of his wife. Female Hindu of sound mind and single or either married, widowed or divorced can also adopt the child legally,” he said.