AASARE is a monthly campaign to promote legal adoption and family care of children. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Bengaluru East District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in collaboration with NGO Shishu Mandir on Tuesday launched AASARE (Aid and Support Abandoned, Surrendered and Orphaned Children Responsibly and Ethically) – a month-long campaign to promote legal adoption and family care of children.
Aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of legal adoption and every child’s right to a nurturing family, the campaign was launched with a women’s e-car rally ‘Aasare’ at KR Puram – from DCPU office to Shishu Mandir.
Haleema, director of the Child Protection Directorate project, said this year’s theme – Non-institutional rehabilitation of children with special needs – emphasized the need to prioritize family alternatives over institutional care.
“Every child deserves love, care and a safe start in life. Abandoning an infant not only endangers life but is also a serious offense under the law,” she said, noting that illegal sale or fostering of children is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of ₹1,000 under Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children), 2015 Act.
For information or assistance, citizens can contact the child helpline 1098 or the emergency number 112, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, she said.
Meenakshi S. Kabedi, District Child Welfare Officer, said Aasare aims to simplify the process of legal adoption under Vatsalya Mission and ensure that every eligible child in Bengaluru East finds a permanent family. “Through this campaign, we want to build a community that understands the value of ethical adoption and child safety,” she said.
ACP Reena Suvarna N., Senior Police Officer Child Welfare, Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), highlighted the role of law enforcement in curbing child trafficking and illegal adoption.
Chowdappa SH, Chairman (in-charge), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Bengaluru East, emphasized that only adoptions channeled through CWC and Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) ensure legal protection and ethical oversight.
Anand, director of Shishu Mandir, said his organization has placed more than 530 children with families and achieved the highest number of adoptions in Karnataka for two consecutive years. “Every completed adoption is a story of hope and belonging,” he said.
Published – 11 Nov 2025 20:11 IST
