The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A whole-hearted support for adoption

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Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
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A whole-hearted support for adoption

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: As one entered the premises of Ashraya, the adoption agency in Indiranagar on Saturday, there was no doubt that the evening was about celebration — of possibility and choice. This year around, Ashraya’s “Adoptive Parents Meet” comes right after Children’s Day, during the National Adoption Week, between November 14 and 20.

Nomita Chandy, secretary, Ashraya, said the Adoption Week was a time to think about the various aspects of adoption. “In Ashraya, we look for a family for a child, rather than a child for the family,” said Ms. Chandy, emphasising that the focus of all adoption agencies should be children.

Clearly, the mindset of the parents who were present on Saturday was exactly that. Sarasu Esther Thomas, who adopted Hannah seven years ago when she was just three months old, is a strong advocate of adoption. “It is not that we couldn’t have biological children; this was just a choice we made,” she says. And as Hannah listens in carefully, Ms. Thomas says that the openness about Hannah’s adoption is very important.

All the parents shared Ms. Thomas’ opinion. According to Manjulika Vaz, her daughter Niharika now endorses adoption herself. Anand Adkoli’s little daughter of two, adopted 10 months ago is the new addition to their family after they had their son.

Others like Shobha Williams, who adopted daughter Zaira, says: “I think everyone who can afford to adopt should do it.”

Most of the parents have an intimate relationship with Ashraya. Some come to Ashraya every weekend, with their adopted children.

Around 300 people were present on the occasion.

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