‘Aasare’ campaign launched to promote legal adoption

Marking National Adoption Awareness Month, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) of Bengaluru East, in collaboration with Shishu Mandir, a NGO, on Tuesday launched AASARE (Adoption Assistance and Support for Abandoned, Surrendered and Orphan Children Responsibly and Ethically) –  a month-long campaign to promote legal adoption and family-based care for children.

Aimed at spreading awareness on the importance of legal adoption and the right of every child to a nurturing family, the campaign was inaugurated with a drive for ‘Aasare” women’s e-auto rally in K.R. Puram – from DCPU office to Shishu Mandir.

Haleema, Project Director, Directorate of Child Protection, said the theme for this year –  Non-Institutional Rehabilitation of Special Needs Children – underlined the need to prioritise family-based alternatives over institutional care..

“Every child deserves love, care, and a safe start to life. Abandoning an infant not only endangers a life but is also a serious offence under law,” she said, cautioning that illegal sale or procurement of children is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of ₹1 lakh under Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

For information or assistance, citizens can contact Child Helpline 1098 or Emergency Helpline 112, available 24/7, she said.

Meenakshi S. Kabedi, District Child Protection Officer, said Aasare aims to simplify the legal adoption process under Mission Vatsalya and ensure that every eligible child in Bengaluru East finds a permanent family. “Through this campaign, we want to build a community that understands the value of ethical adoption and child safety,” she said.

ACP Reena Suvarna N., Senior Child Welfare Police Officer, Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), highlighted the law enforcement role in curbing child trafficking and illegal adoption.

Chowdappa S.H., chairperson (in-charge), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Bengaluru East, stressed that only adoptions routed through the CWC and Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) ensure legal protection and ethical oversight.

Anand, director of Shishu Mandir, said his organisation has placed over 530 children in families and achieved the highest number of adoptions in Karnataka for two consecutive years. “Every completed adoption is a story of hope and belonging,” he said.