Leh: A two day sensitization programme on Child Rights, Care and Protection of Children for the functionaries of Mission Vatsalya and Child Care Institutions (CCIs) concluded at the Conference Hall, DC Office Leh. The programme was chaired by Sonali Kumari, Assistant Director, National Institute of Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), Regional Centre Mohali.
The programme aimed to strengthen awareness on adoption regulations, child protection mechanisms, and the roles of stakeholders in safeguarding children.
Sonam Chosdon, Project Manager, State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) Ladakh, presented on adoption processes and highlighted the categories of children eligible for adoption orphans, abandoned children, surrendered children, children with unfit guardians, and children with no visitation. She also emphasized the guiding principles of adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, including the child’s best interest, confidentiality, family responsibility, institutionalization as a last resort, and the right of every child to be heard.
Detailed sessions were held on the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) referral process, covering timelines for both children with normal health status and those with special needs. Discussions also focused on the legal eligibility of Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) and the importance of confidentiality regarding the identity and past of adopted children.
Sonali Kumari further underlined that only children who are legally eligible should be admitted into CCIs. She explained the two categories under Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP): children requiring care and protection, and children in conflict with law.
The programme also included an overview of the procedure under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956 for parents seeking to relocate adopted children abroad. The step wise process covers registration and home study of PAPs, scrutiny of documents by CARA, preparation of family background reports, uploading of adoption documents under the Hague Convention, verification of adoption orders, and issuance of No Objection and Conformity Certificates by CARA.
Responsibilities of the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) under Regulation 35 were also highlighted, which include establishing a governing body under the State Government, issuing pre approval letters for relative and step parent adoptions, ensuring adequate counsellors and social workers at the DCPU, making extra efforts to place special needs and older children in adoption, and forwarding reports in cases of disruption or dissolution.
The sensitization programme provided an important platform for building the capacity of Mission Vatsalya and CCI functionaries in Ladakh, reinforcing collective responsibility to ensure transparency in adoption and the protection of child rights.
Two-Day Sensitization Programme on Child Rights and Protection of Children Concludes in Leh
Leh, September 9, 2025:
A two day sensitization programme on Child Rights, Care and Protection of Children for the functionaries of Mission Vatsalya and Child Care Institutions (CCIs) concluded at the Conference Hall, DC Office Leh. The programme was chaired by Sonali Kumari, Assistant Director, National Institute of Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), Regional Centre Mohali.
The programme aimed to strengthen awareness on adoption regulations, child protection mechanisms, and the roles of stakeholders in safeguarding children.
Sonam Chosdon, Project Manager, State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) Ladakh, presented on adoption processes and highlighted the categories of children eligible for adoption orphans, abandoned children, surrendered children, children with unfit guardians, and children with no visitation. She also emphasized the guiding principles of adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, including the child’s best interest, confidentiality, family responsibility, institutionalization as a last resort, and the right of every child to be heard.
Detailed sessions were held on the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) referral process, covering timelines for both children with normal health status and those with special needs. Discussions also focused on the legal eligibility of Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) and the importance of confidentiality regarding the identity and past of adopted children.
Sonali Kumari further underlined that only children who are legally eligible should be admitted into CCIs. She explained the two categories under Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP): children requiring care and protection, and children in conflict with law.
The programme also included an overview of the procedure under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956 for parents seeking to relocate adopted children abroad. The step wise process covers registration and home study of PAPs, scrutiny of documents by CARA, preparation of family background reports, uploading of adoption documents under the Hague Convention, verification of adoption orders, and issuance of No Objection and Conformity Certificates by CARA.
Responsibilities of the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) under Regulation 35 were also highlighted, which include establishing a governing body under the State Government, issuing pre approval letters for relative and step parent adoptions, ensuring adequate counsellors and social workers at the DCPU, making extra efforts to place special needs and older children in adoption, and forwarding reports in cases of disruption or dissolution.
The sensitization programme provided an important platform for building the capacity of Mission Vatsalya and CCI functionaries in Ladakh, reinforcing collective responsibility to ensure transparency in adoption and the protection of child rights.
