Odisha shows the way: Childless couples prefer girls over boys for adoption

by Argus News

Bhubaneswar, Sep 4: At a time when the girl child ratio is declining in many states, childless couples are showing more interest in adopting a girl then a boy in Odisha.

This was reflected in the children's adoption data of the past five years (2017 to 2021). The data reveals that a total of 869 children from Odisha have been adopted by couples from Odisha, outside the state and also foreign countries.

As many as 581 female children from Odisha have been adopted by Indian and foreign couples during the five years. However, the number of adopted male children stood at 288, which is less than half of the female children adopted during the period.

Out of 869 children, 704 were adopted by couples in India while 165 children were adopted by foreigners between 2017 and 2021.

While Indian couples have adopted 462 girl children and 242 male children from 24 out of 30 districts of Odisha, foreigners too adopted more girl children (119) then boys (46) from 17 districts.

The highest number of 119 children have been adopted from tribal-dominated Sundergarh district. The other districts registering a good number of adoptions include Keonjhar, Cuttack and Khurda.

Social activist Namrata Chadha said, "we are still living in a gender-biased society. Parents prefer a boy child then a girl because he may help them in their old age."

In many instances, it has come to notice that people abandoned the girl child in garbage, roads, etc because they wanted a boy. These girls have been brought to child care homes and later adopted by single parents. That's why there are more adopted girls, said Chadha.

When contacted, a senior official from the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) said both male and female children are being adopted. However, prospective adoptive couples are more interested in adopting a female than a male, he said, adding that a few people have come forward to adopt children with special needs.

Both Non-Resident Indians and overseas Indians have adopted children from Odisha. Basically, people from countries like the US, Canada, France, Italy, Spain and the UK, have adopted these children from the eastern state.

Informing about the protection of the adopted children especially the girls, the official said detailed guidelines are there about the eligibility criteria for adoption like a single male cannot adopt a girl child.

A proper mechanism has been put in place at the state and national levels for monitoring of adopted children in India, he said.

Besides, Indian diplomats and foreign adoption agencies are supervising the adoption process and monitoring the children in foreign countries, stated the official.

(IANS)

Four Minors Drown In Pond In Bihar's Nawada

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Patna, Sep 28: Four minors drowned to death in Bihar’s Nawada district on Thursday as they sought to have a bath in a newly-built pond in their village, police said.

The victims were identified as Aayush Kumar, 10, Samir Kumar, 10, Sarwan Kumar, 9, and Ritik Kumar, 8.

The accident took place in Gambhirpur village under Warisaliganj police station in the district.

Read More National News

The victims jumped in a newly built pond to take bath without realizing its depth. When they started drowning, some local villagers tried to rescue them but failed. The pond was built with government funds to provide facilities to the devotees on Chatth Puja.

(IANS)

BJP Team Meets Agitating Potter-Artisans, Expresses Solidarity With Them

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bhubaneswar, Sep 28: A team of senior BJP leaders on Thursday met agitating potter artisans and expressed the party's solidarity with them for their legitimate demands.

The artisans have been sitting along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg in front of the State Assembly to press for their various demands, which include incentives from the government, marketing of their products and use of government land for running 'Kumbhar Sala' (Place for clay pot making).

Even though there has been a Matikala Board meant for the potters, the State Government has not taken any step to support them through this board in the last 24 years, alleged the agitating clay artisans.

"We all depend on potters for clay-made pots during festivals and religious rituals. Their demands are genuine. However, they have been neglected by the Government," said BJP leaders.

They said the Narendra Modi Government has introduced Vishwakarma Yojana to support village artisans. Under this scheme, potters will benefit a lot. The BJP provides support to them in placing their demands. The State government should fulfill their all demands at the earliest, urged the leaders.

Among others, BJP MLAs Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra and Mukesh Mahalinga, OBC Morcha State president Surath Biswal, State spokesperson Rajendra Panda, Social Media State coordinator Rashmiranjan Kanungo, Durga Prasanna Nayak, Bibekananda Jena, Santosh Mohapatra and Lingaraj Barik met the agitating artisans.

Read More Odisha News

Kumar Sanu Praises ‘Unbound Creativity’ Of Contestant Anuska In New Episode Of IGT

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Mumbai, Sep 28: The popular Indian talent based reality show, ‘India’s Got Talent’ is gearing up for its new weekend with ‘Party Special’. This time, contestant Anuska Chatterjee stands out the most as she captivates Kumar Sanu with her acrobatic moves. The senior singer commends her ‘unbound creativity’.

The ‘Party Special’ saw Neha Kakkar alongside the judging panel of ‘Indian Idol 14’, Kumar Sanu and Vishal Dadlani paying close attention to the variety of new talent coming in.

Many contestants make their mark, though the young contortionist, Anuska Chatterjee from Kolkata, leaves everyone awed by giving an eerily creative twist to the 1990s classic ‘Ek Din Aap’, sung by Kumar Sanu himself, as she adds in an extra flexible acrobatic performance with it.

Amazed by Anuska’s act, Kumar Sanu sings praises her, saying: “In just three minutes, you unfolded a blockbuster movie, mounted on a scale of Rs 100 crore. Your performance left me questioning if you have any bones in your body. It was simply mind-blowing! To be honest, I’ve never witnessed a concept like this before. Hats off to your brilliant choreographers who conceived this ‘Haddi-Tod romance’. Your creativity truly knows no bounds.”

Fellow judge Vishal Dadlani lauds Anuska and her choreographers Pratik and Paul, and said: “You managed to infuse a dark and unexpected twist into a classic romantic song, something no one could have imagined. What made this performance absolutely remarkable was the conflicting emotions it evoked."

“It’s a romantic song, yet you added spine-tingling elements to it. Anuska, your flexible movements, coupled with the concept and song selection, collectively made it an unforgettable performance", he added.

Odisha shows the way: Childless couples prefer girls over boys for adoption

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