The Hindu : Other States News : Where parents abandon their children out of compulsion

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Tuesday, Jul 07, 2009
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Where parents abandon their children out of compulsion

Sib Kumar Das

PURI: Some parents from different parts of the State are deliberately abandoning their children in Puri out of compulsions. As per the police and Child Helpline in Puri, during the recent Rathyatra around 25 missing children were found by them. Out of them two had been left behind by their parents deliberately. This practice is not new to this temple city and its Rathyatra festival. During 2008 Rathyatra three deliberately abandoned children had been located during the festival.

According to member of the Orissa Child Welfare Committee, Debasish Rath this practice of deliberate abandonment of children in Puri continues since past many years. Usually the deliberately abandoned children are mentally retarded ones. At times poverty and social compulsions also compel parents to abandon these children on the roads of Puri. “These parents try to wash off their responsibilities towards their mentally retarded children by leaving them at the mercy of Lord Jagannath in Puri”, said Mr. Rath.

. According to him it is high time to have a rehabilitation centre for these children in Puri.

The CWC can take charge of the rehabilitation of the child. But usually the poor ignorant parents are not aware about it.

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