LilMtnCbn
01-07-2005, 06:30 AM
http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=tsunami&slug=TN+cuts+do
wn+red+tape+for+orphans&id=66351&callid=1&category=National
TN cuts down red tape for adoptions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 (Cuddalore):
While the tsunami disaster affected many people across Asia, the one helpless
section that is facing the brunt is that of countless children who have been
orphaned in this tragedy.
The United Nations children's agency has also urged the international community
to prioritise youngsters made orphans by the tsunami disaster.
In a district like Cuddalore, while one may have some estimates of the number
of dead, it's hard to put a figure on those orphaned.
Aid agencies have said at least a third of those affected are children. While
more than 600 have died, the administration has only found 25 orphans who they
picked up from various relief camps.
They admit that till now, no formal drive has been done to collect the orphans,
and they have just the word of villagers to rely upon.
"When we go to take the orphans, the villagers tend to hold on to them. Because
so many children have died, they feel an attachment to them," said CK Gariyali,
Relief Commissioner.
Govt responsibility
According to Tamil Nadu's policy, these children are a responsibility of state
and will stay at government orphanages till they are adopted.
The government has offered an amount of Rs 5 lakh for every child, which can be
accessed by them once they are 18.
However, they have also welcomed any family who would like to take the children
in.
To enable the adoption, authorities in Tamil Nadu are now trying to cut down
red tape and paperwork for those families who want to adopt an orphaned child.
The legal procedure of adoption takes around six months and once interested
parents write or fax the district collector, they are put in contact with the
social welfare officer.
"People can easily access our website for information or write to us," said
Gagandeep Bedi, District Collector.
For the orphaned children, the paperwork will be relatively quick, as their
backgrounds have already been checked.
Finding loving homes
Till the legalities are worked out, the children, some of whom are mere babies,
will stay in the district where the villagers can visit them.
State officials say if anyone wants to help the children while they are in
orphanages, they could donate things like computers, TVs, fridge, toys, Tamil
books and computers.
For all such orphaned babies, the need of the hour is a secure, loving home.
For anyone wishing to adopt the orphans, it will be a matter of time and
patience before the procedures are over and done with.
But once that hurdle is past, they can have the pleasure of getting a homeless
orphan home and lighting up their life as well.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
wn+red+tape+for+orphans&id=66351&callid=1&category=National
TN cuts down red tape for adoptions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 (Cuddalore):
While the tsunami disaster affected many people across Asia, the one helpless
section that is facing the brunt is that of countless children who have been
orphaned in this tragedy.
The United Nations children's agency has also urged the international community
to prioritise youngsters made orphans by the tsunami disaster.
In a district like Cuddalore, while one may have some estimates of the number
of dead, it's hard to put a figure on those orphaned.
Aid agencies have said at least a third of those affected are children. While
more than 600 have died, the administration has only found 25 orphans who they
picked up from various relief camps.
They admit that till now, no formal drive has been done to collect the orphans,
and they have just the word of villagers to rely upon.
"When we go to take the orphans, the villagers tend to hold on to them. Because
so many children have died, they feel an attachment to them," said CK Gariyali,
Relief Commissioner.
Govt responsibility
According to Tamil Nadu's policy, these children are a responsibility of state
and will stay at government orphanages till they are adopted.
The government has offered an amount of Rs 5 lakh for every child, which can be
accessed by them once they are 18.
However, they have also welcomed any family who would like to take the children
in.
To enable the adoption, authorities in Tamil Nadu are now trying to cut down
red tape and paperwork for those families who want to adopt an orphaned child.
The legal procedure of adoption takes around six months and once interested
parents write or fax the district collector, they are put in contact with the
social welfare officer.
"People can easily access our website for information or write to us," said
Gagandeep Bedi, District Collector.
For the orphaned children, the paperwork will be relatively quick, as their
backgrounds have already been checked.
Finding loving homes
Till the legalities are worked out, the children, some of whom are mere babies,
will stay in the district where the villagers can visit them.
State officials say if anyone wants to help the children while they are in
orphanages, they could donate things like computers, TVs, fridge, toys, Tamil
books and computers.
For all such orphaned babies, the need of the hour is a secure, loving home.
For anyone wishing to adopt the orphans, it will be a matter of time and
patience before the procedures are over and done with.
But once that hurdle is past, they can have the pleasure of getting a homeless
orphan home and lighting up their life as well.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
