Chandigarh, August 25, 2026:The State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, organised a State-Level Orientation and Training Programme on the Adoption Regulations, 2022 and CARINGS through the Mission Vatsalya Portal at the U.T. State Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. The programme was sponsored by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

Sh. Harpreet Singh Sudan, Secretary, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, formally inaugurated the programme as the Chief Guest. Sh. Naveen Rattu, Director, Social Welfare, attended as the Guest of Honour. Ms. Bisman Ahuja, Programme Manager, UTCPS, was also present.

The resource persons included Sh. Shivan Tyagi, Senior Developer, CARA; Ms. Charu Makkar, Child Welfare Committee Expert; and Dr. Mythili Hazarika, Mental Health and Counselling Expert.

Delivering the keynote address, Sh. Harpreet Singh Sudan appreciated CARA’s continued guidance and support in streamlining the adoption process. He emphasised that adoption is not merely a legal process but a life-transforming act that restores a child’s right to a family, love and identity.

Highlighting concerns relating to child trafficking, he underscored the need for continued vigilance and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders involved in the adoption process. He said strict adherence to the prescribed legal and procedural safeguards was essential to protect children from the risks of kidnapping, illegal transfer, exploitation and trafficking.

He urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly identify and report any suspicious or unlawful practices involving children or adoption.

As part of the inaugural programme, a video featuring the experiences of adoptive parents was screened. It highlighted the transformative journey of adopting older children and the importance of family-based care.

Awareness sunboards on legal adoption were also launched to educate the general public about lawful adoption procedures and the penalties prescribed for illegal adoption practices.

The training programme featured expert sessions on the Adoption Regulations, identification of children, institutional responsibilities towards family-based care and the roles of the Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit, Chief Medical Officer and Specialised Adoption Agency.

Special emphasis was also placed on adoption and counselling principles, including psychological support for children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs). A dedicated session on CARINGS through the Mission Vatsalya Portal provided participants with an understanding of the digital adoption process.

More than 58 participants from the Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit, Health Department, Specialised Adoption Agency, Child Care Institutions and Child Helpline-1098 actively participated in the training programme.