Child of My Heart: Navigating the Adoption Process in India with Kalyani Sardesai
3 min readOne-of-its-kind view into the world of adoption as it works in India,
The second edition is out on the back of popular demand
Proceeds to go to charity
PUNE: On the occasion of World Adoption Day which is celebrated every year on November 9, and World Adoption Month is celebrated throughout the month, journalist and writer Kalyani Sardesai has brought out the second edition of her book Child of My Heart: A Comprehensive Guide to Adoption in India.
The book, which was first released in 2020, is a one-of-its-kind ultra-wide window into adoption procedures in India.
“Having written and researched on child rights, including adoption, I have long believed India deserved its book, keeping its unique cultural context in mind,” says Sardesai. “The purpose of writing this book was to simplify how and why things work the way do in our country. In many ways, the concept of both family and parenting are individualized, and therefore, references from the West may not always work for us.”
While the first physical edition was released in 2020, the e-book was released in 2022. “Both versions were well-received. However, given that four years have passed since it was first printed, it was time to revise and update it with the realities of a post-pandemic world,” says Sardesai.
“Other than some new interviews, this edition looks at the evolving attitude of employers when it comes to specific subjects such as leave for adoptive parents,” says Sardesai.
Adoption in India currently happens only under the aegis of the Centralized Adoption Resource Authority, a statutory body of the Ministry of Women and Child Development under the Government of India. Established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, CARA is responsible for monitoring and regulating adoptions both within and outside India.
Like the previous edition, this work chronicles the experiences and emotions of those who have been through the journey, apart from shedding light on the socio-legal-cultural landscape of India, offering a balanced critique of the centralized adoption process. It delves into the portrayal of adoption in popular culture and history and offers advice on raising a well-adjusted child.
Child of My Heart is both a parenting guide and resource for those interested in child rights—whether they are journalists, lawyers, prospective parents, counselors or social workers.
“On a personal level, this work is the logical culmination of my journey so far: as a journalist who has written on child rights, and as a thoroughly fulfilled parent, who has been through the journey,” rounds off Sardesai.
The 300-page book is divided into four sections:
Section-I: Voices of adoptees and adoptive parents
Section II: How to talk about adoption with the child.
Section III: Myths, Movies, and Metaphors: How adoption is depicted in popular art, folklore, and history.
Section IV: The socio-legal and cultural realities of India.
Child of My Heart: A Comprehensive Guide to Adoption in India is available online at Rs 395 per book.
Links to both International and Indian e-books.
International – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9PFTGY
India – https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DM9PFTGY
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