Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA)
Relevant for sociology optional Paper- 2 & GS Mains Paper- 2
Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) is a government body that is responsible for regulating and monitoring the adoption of children in India. It was established under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 1990, and since then it has been working towards ensuring the welfare of children who are in need of care and protection.
The main objective of CARA is to promote legal adoption of children in India and to provide a supportive environment for children who are deprived of their biological parents. The agency works towards ensuring that children are placed in the care of loving and nurturing families who can provide them with a secure and stable environment to grow up in.
CARA has been instrumental in streamlining the adoption process in India. It has put in place a set of guidelines and procedures that need to be followed by both the adoptive parents and the agencies that are involved in the adoption process. These guidelines are aimed at safeguarding the interests of the children and ensuring that their rights are protected.
One of the key functions of CARA is to maintain a central database of children who are available for adoption in India. This database contains details of children who have been abandoned, orphaned, or surrendered by their biological parents. The agency works towards ensuring that these children are placed in the care of suitable families through a transparent and ethical adoption process.
CARA also works towards creating awareness about adoption in India. It conducts campaigns and outreach programs to educate people about the benefits of adoption and to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding the process. The agency also works closely with the state governments to ensure that the legal framework for adoption is in place and that the process is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.
In addition to regulating the adoption process in India, CARA also provides support services to adoptive parents and children. It offers counseling services to adoptive parents to help them cope with the challenges of parenting an adopted child. The agency also provides financial assistance to families who adopt children with special needs.
Over the years, CARA has made significant contributions towards ensuring the welfare of children in India. It has been instrumental in creating a more robust adoption system in the country, which has helped to provide a better future for countless children. The agency has also been recognized for its efforts in promoting adoption and child welfare in India.
However, there are still many challenges that CARA faces in its efforts to promote adoption in India. One of the main challenges is the prevalence of social stigma surrounding adoption. Many people still believe that adoption is a taboo subject and that adopted children are somehow inferior to biological children. This has led to a reluctance among many families to adopt children, particularly those with special needs.
Another challenge that CARA faces is the lack of infrastructure and resources in many parts of the country. The agency has to rely on a network of adoption agencies and NGOs to carry out its work, and in many cases, these agencies are understaffed and under-resourced. This can lead to delays in the adoption process and can make it difficult for CARA to ensure that children are placed in the care of suitable families.
Despite these challenges, CARA remains committed to its mission of promoting adoption in India. The agency continues to work towards creating a more supportive and enabling environment for children who are in need of care and protection. With its focus on transparency, accountability, and child welfare, CARA has become a beacon of hope for children in India who are in need of a loving and nurturing home.
It is essential to recognize the importance of CARA’s work in ensuring that every child in India has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and secure environment. Through its efforts, CARA has helped to give countless children the chance to have a better life and a brighter future. By supporting CARA and its mission, we can all play a part in creating a more inclusive and caring society, one that values the welfare and wellbeing of every child.
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