In a move to ensure that no infant is abused or abandoned in public places, the Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal has recently launched a new helpline number to which any passer-by who identifies any child in distress, can call.
“The idea is to rescue vulnerable infants and tell parents that we can instead look after the child, put them up for adoption and ensure that they receive good education and lead prosperous lives,” said a senior official from the Department. “This is what the Cradle Baby programme caters to,” the official said.
The helpline number is 044- 22505050, even prospective parents willing to adopt children can get more information about the process involved by dialling the number. The helpline is launched in addition to the Childline toll free number 1098.
The number of girl babies surrendered under the scheme in the last two years continues to remain high, according to data received from the department. Statistics reveal that in the year 2015-16, 178 babies were surrendered of which 109 were girls and 69 boys. In 2016 until last month, 136 were surrendered of which 75 were girls and 61 boys. Ariyalur recorded the highest number in 2015-16, after 16 infants were surrendered and with one Perambalur recorded the lowest. In the last one year however, Tirunelveli district recorded the highest number as 24 infants were surrendered. While only one infant was surrendered in Karur and Salem districts making them the lowest. Chennai district however recorded six in the last one year.
Officials pointed out that mostly children are left behind by unwed mothers due to social stigma or because of poor economic conditions, but in some cases, families with several children too decide to leave the baby in the cradle because of their poverty. “Whenever they come, we try and make them rethink their decision and also help them in finding employment,” said a senior official from the Chennai District Child Protection Unit who claimed that they have linked several bereaved mothers to employment in child care institutions, schools and other places, where they have also been able to look after their child’s needs.
“What they mainly need is social and family support. If they have this they will undoubtedly be able to look after their child,” pointed out Maya Gaitonde, general secretary of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust.
While child welfare experts have welcomed the new helpline, they have also highlighted the need to educate families, and most importantly clamp down hospital which reveal the sex of the baby through ultrasound scans. “While killing the infants at birth may be have come down, the sex ratio of girls continues to be low in the State. There is a need to take strict measures against hospitals and doctors who reveal the baby’s gender before birth, thereby leading to its abortion,” said Andal Damodaran, president, Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
EOM/ADI
