The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, organised an Adoption Awareness Workshop at North A.O.C., Imphal, Manipur on 23^rd September 2026, under the theme “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!”. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur, and Manipur State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA).

The workshop was held in the presence of Shri Sheikh Abdul Hakim, Director, Social Welfare Department, Manipur; Smt. K. Sunderbala, Addl. SP (IUCAW), Imphal West; Smt. Rupanshi Pandey, Assistant Director, CARA; Smt. Ankita Bharadwaj, Assistant Director, CARA, along with senior officials and stakeholders from the child protection and adoption ecosystem. The workshop brought together around 150 participants to strengthen awareness about the legal, transparent and child-centric adoption process and to highlight the risks and consequences associated with illegal adoption practices.

The workshop brought together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare, CWCs, DCPUs, SAAs, CCIs, Health and Police Departments, Judiciary, Legal Services Authorities, hospitals and private nursing homes, ASHA and ANM workers, civil society organisations and media, among others.

Addressing the participants, Shri Sheikh Abdul Hakim, Director, Social Welfare Department, Manipur, emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that children are protected from unregulated and illegal adoption arrangements.Smt. Rupanshi Pandey, Assistant Director, CARA, highlighted the need for vigilance and coordinated action at every level, stating, “Preventing illegal adoption requires vigilance and coordinated action at every level.”

As part of an interactive component, participants were divided into four groups comprising Police & Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs); CMOs, hospitals/private nursing homes, ANMs & Anganwadi Workers; Legal/Judiciary & CWCs; and SARA, DCPOs, SAAs/CCIs and other stakeholders. The group discussions provided a platform for participants to reflect on their existing understanding of the legal adoption framework, identify gaps in awareness and coordination, and put forward practical suggestions for strengthening prevention, identification, reporting and response mechanisms.

Each group subsequently presented its key observations and recommendations, highlighting the importance of inter-departmental coordination, timely information sharing, responsible referral and strict compliance with the statutory adoption process.

A special real-life experience-sharing session by Shri Thingnam Roshan Singh, Manager/Coordinator, SAA, Imphal, provided practical insights into addressing suspected cases of illegal adoption. The session highlighted the importance of timely intervention and the role of field-level child protection functionaries in safeguarding children.

A fiction film on legal adoption was also presented to reinforce the importance of following the authorised adoption process and create greater awareness about the risks associated with illegal adoption. The workshop also featured a child-centric performance by children of State Bal Bhavan, promoting the message of family-based care and the importance of providing children with safe, nurturing and supportive family environments. The short play connected with the audience and reinforced the workshop’s child-focused message.

The Manipur workshop reinforced the need for continuous awareness, stronger coordination and timely intervention across the child protection and adoption ecosystem. Participants were sensitised to their respective responsibilities and the importance of ensuring that every child requiring care and protection is dealt with strictly in accordance with law and with the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration.

The workshop concluded with a renewed collective commitment to strengthen vigilance, improve coordination among stakeholders and promote only legal, safe and child-centric adoption practices in Manipur.

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