Adoption is indeed a noble cause and people should step up to give a better life to someone, but there are people who claim for direct adoption with no formalities involved. Such activities are considered illegal and people shouldn’t encourage individuals or NGOs involved in such calls. To curb such activities an NGO along with District Child Protection Unit and India Literacy Project prepared posters to create awareness about legal adoption.

HOPE, Holistic Approach for People’s Empowerment, Puducherry based NGO, with District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Cuddalore and India Literacy Project (ILP) initiated this awareness drive. These posters were later released by District Social Welfare Officer Anbazhagi on Saturday.

“Messages are making rounds in social media that children orphaned by COVID-19 are available for adoption and contact numbers are also being circulated. With an intention of helping the children, people are also circulating it further,” said P. Joseph Victor Raj, Director of HOPE as quoted by The Hindu.

The NGO felt that public consciousness against such adoption is a must as they threaten the welfare of children and in later course throw them into barbarous conditions like child trafficking, child labour, drug peddling etc.

“These posters were displayed at Primary health centres, Childline office and the DCPU in Cuddalore,” Raj added.

A well-informed person will call on Childline 1098 or inform the authorities about the child[ren] who are in need of care and protection. To adopt legally, desirous people need to visit the official site of CARA and follow the procedure as mentioned. Any adoption outside the purview of CARA is a punishable offence.