Ampati, September 15: An Awareness Programme on Child Adoption was today organized by the District Legal Service Authority in collaboration with the Child Welfare Committee, South West Garo Hills at Ampati. Held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall this is the first time such a programme is being held in the district.
The programme which was attended by the medical fraternity, officers from the Police, Social Welfare department, senior citizens and stakeholders from all walks of life aimed at sensitizing the participants on the legal aspects of child adoption and also shed light on the guidelines governing the adoption of children 2015.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session South West Garo Hills ADC and Deputy Commissioner in charge H D B Sangma spoke briefly on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. Stating that that it was important as stakeholders to know all the aspects of legally adopting a child she urged the gathering to disseminate the information learned at the programme.
During the awareness session East Garo Hills District Child Protection Officer Junichi K Marak who was the resource person for the day long programme stated that in order to be familiar with the child adoption guidelines one should first know about the Integrated Child Protection Scheme. Stating that people often confused ICPS with ICDS She informed that ICPS was a governmental program implemented by the Government of India to help secure the safety of children, with a special emphasis on children in need of care and protection, juveniles in conflict or contact with the law and other vulnerable children.
Its primary purpose is to create a central structure to provide oversight and standardization for pre-existing and evolving child protection schemes in India she informed and added that the ICPS is administered at the state level by state child protection committees and societies and at the district level by district child protection societies, among other institutions.
She later elaborated on the salient features of the guidelines governing the Adoption of Children 2015 with the aid of PowerPoint presentations.
Among others who spoke at the occasion were District Social Welfare Officer & Child Welfare Committee, Member Secretary Linda J Sangma and Ampati Government Higher Secondary School Principal & Child Welfare Committee Chairman E S G Momin.
Participants present at the gathering included DM&HO Dr Kona Sangma, SDM&HO, Dr Calvaryn Sangma, Ampati Circle Inspector W R Marak, CWC Member D Hajong and members of various child care institution, NGOs and leaders from religious institutions amongst others.
