The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, organised its third regional consultative workshop for the Central Zone on March 17, 2026, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The event was conducted in partnership with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) at Ravindra Bhawan.
The workshop was attended by Ms. Nirmala Bhuria, Minister for Women and Child Development, Madhya Pradesh, who served as the Chief Guest. In her address, she stressed the need to strengthen child protection systems and called for greater community involvement in ensuring family-based care for children with special needs.
This workshop is part of CARA’s nationwide Adoption Awareness Campaign themed “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children).” The campaign aims to encourage adoption and ensure that children grow up in nurturing family environments rather than institutional settings.
The Central Zone—which includes Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand—has the highest number of districts in the country. Reflecting this, the workshop saw participation from around 200 representatives across more than 170 districts, making it a key platform for coordination and dialogue on adoption and child welfare.
Participants included officials from SARAs, Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), as well as medical professionals, Chief Medical Officers, and child protection experts. Discussions focused on improving adoption systems and enhancing support for children with special needs.
Key deliberations included reviewing the current adoption status of such children across states, sharing best practices, addressing challenges in medical and legal procedures, and identifying solutions to improve coordination between child protection and healthcare services. Group discussions were also held to develop actionable recommendations for strengthening outreach and speeding up rehabilitation into family care.
A short film showcasing a successful adoption story of children with special needs was also presented, highlighting the benefits of family-based care and the importance of awareness in promoting adoption.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from participating states and stakeholders to enhance collaboration, streamline adoption processes, and promote inclusive policies that prioritise the well-being of children with special needs. The recommendations from the discussions are expected to inform future initiatives aimed at expanding family-based care and ensuring comprehensive rehabilitation for Divyaang children across India.
Source:PIB
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