Bhubaneswar, May 30: The National Adoption Conclave 2025 begins in Purinal Adoption Conclave 2025 was inaugurated today in Puri, marking the beginning of a two-day event aimed at strengthening family-based child care systems across the country.
Organized by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, the conclave is a significant step toward reforming child protection policies and promoting adoption as a core alternative care solution.
Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida attended the event as the Chief Guest and underlined the importance of providing every child with a nurturing, secure, and loving family environment. "Parental love is essential for a child's growth. Adoption not only offers a home to the child but also gives adoptive parents the privilege of parenthood," she stated. She praised Odisha’s notable progress in streamlining adoption processes in recent years and lauded the department's efforts in organizing the platform to promote awareness and commitment toward adoption.
The event witnessed the presence of several key dignitaries, including:
Smt. Shubha Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Odisha
Smt. Bhawna Saxena, CEO, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
Smt. Monisha Banerjee, Director, ICDS and Social Welfare Department
These officials addressed the need for strengthening adoption systems, encouraging social change, and reinforcing institutional coordination at all levels.
The conclave featured a series of technical sessions conducted by CARA, UNICEF, and state authorities, focusing on topics such as:
Legal safeguards under the Juvenile Justice Act
Global best practices in alternative care
Mental and social support for adoptive families
Model initiatives from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra were highlighted as scalable practices, offering replicable frameworks for adoption success in other regions.
A special highlight of the event was the launch of a coffee table book titled “Stories of Hope and Healing”, which features real-life accounts of successful adoptive families and their journeys.
District Collectors, Deputy Collectors, and key child welfare officials from across Odisha also participated in knowledge-sharing sessions, presenting grassroots efforts aimed at reducing institutional care and promoting adoption at the community level. Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairpersons and District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) contributed to discussions on streamlining state-wide adoption mechanisms.
The conclave aims to enhance inter-departmental coordination, strengthen district-level adoption infrastructure, and reinforce the state’s commitment to ensuring every child has the right to a family.
