Even as a US governor, Jon Huntsman Jr, turned to the state for adoption as he had ‘more love to share’, for childless Gujarati NRIs it is more to complete a perfect family portrait. Overseas adoptions by Gujarati NRIs have been on a steady rise, with a growing preference for the girl child. One of the most high-profile adoptions from the state in recent times remained that by US astronaut Sunita Williams’ brother Dr Prashant Pandya.
As societal acceptance for adoptions has increased, adoption agencies in the state have observed a perceptible difference in the trend. While earlier intra-family adoptions were preferred, now both NRIs and locals prefer to adopt from orphanages. However, Gujarati NRIs, have a condition. ‘‘Gujaratis, be it from the US, UK or anywhere, prefer to have a child from Gujarat because of cultural similarities or physical resemblance,’’ said Natubhai Patel, from the Adoption Co-ordinating Agency.
The agency liaises between the state, Central government as well as orphanage homes recognised by foreign governments. At present, Gujarat has four recognised orphanages for foreign adoptions, while official orphanages number to 42. ‘‘We get six to seven NRI couples every year interested in adoption. While they are not particular about the sex of the child, all they want is someone from the state, maybe because of the emotional and cultural bond,’’ said Sister Nirmala of Nadiad-based Matruchhaya orphanage.
Since 1989 in Gujarat, a total of 3,445 orphans have been registered, of which 1,640 have been adopted and 355 of them have been overseas adoptions. But compared to other Indian states, in Gujarat the agencies also prefer local adoptions instead of families who are based abroad. ‘‘There is a lot of cross-checking to be done and liason work involved with foreign agencies and governments, so it takes time,’’ said Patel. Also, to make sure that the parents from abroad are taking proper care of the child adopted from here, regular progress reports are sought till the child becomes an adult, authorised by a correponding agency in the foreign country.
Angus King Jr, the former US governor of Maine, had adopted a girl from a Rajkot orphanage, and Natubhai displays the girl’s progress report, accompanied by photographs, with obvious pride. ‘‘In case of Gujarati NRIs, most are highly-qualified professionals with no children of their own in their mid-30s,’’ said Patel.
Most of them have are either doctors, pharmacists, or IT professionals. While the bulk predictably remain from the US, UK and Canada, a smattering of them based in Spain and Portugal have also been seeking children from Gujarat-based orphanages.
Source : Expressindia.com
As societal acceptance for adoptions has increased, adoption agencies in the state have observed a perceptible difference in the trend. While earlier intra-family adoptions were preferred, now both NRIs and locals prefer to adopt from orphanages. However, Gujarati NRIs, have a condition. ‘‘Gujaratis, be it from the US, UK or anywhere, prefer to have a child from Gujarat because of cultural similarities or physical resemblance,’’ said Natubhai Patel, from the Adoption Co-ordinating Agency.
The agency liaises between the state, Central government as well as orphanage homes recognised by foreign governments. At present, Gujarat has four recognised orphanages for foreign adoptions, while official orphanages number to 42. ‘‘We get six to seven NRI couples every year interested in adoption. While they are not particular about the sex of the child, all they want is someone from the state, maybe because of the emotional and cultural bond,’’ said Sister Nirmala of Nadiad-based Matruchhaya orphanage.
Since 1989 in Gujarat, a total of 3,445 orphans have been registered, of which 1,640 have been adopted and 355 of them have been overseas adoptions. But compared to other Indian states, in Gujarat the agencies also prefer local adoptions instead of families who are based abroad. ‘‘There is a lot of cross-checking to be done and liason work involved with foreign agencies and governments, so it takes time,’’ said Patel. Also, to make sure that the parents from abroad are taking proper care of the child adopted from here, regular progress reports are sought till the child becomes an adult, authorised by a correponding agency in the foreign country.
Angus King Jr, the former US governor of Maine, had adopted a girl from a Rajkot orphanage, and Natubhai displays the girl’s progress report, accompanied by photographs, with obvious pride. ‘‘In case of Gujarati NRIs, most are highly-qualified professionals with no children of their own in their mid-30s,’’ said Patel.
Most of them have are either doctors, pharmacists, or IT professionals. While the bulk predictably remain from the US, UK and Canada, a smattering of them based in Spain and Portugal have also been seeking children from Gujarat-based orphanages.
Source : Expressindia.com