Adoption is act of love, not just law: SARA

Director of Social Welfare Department and CEO & member secretary of the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Tosheli Zhimomi, has described adoption as not merely a legal process but a compassionate act that transforms lives by giving children the warmth of a loving family while fulfilling the aspirations of prospective parents.
She was speaking at the state orientation and training programme on Adoption Regulations, 2022 for Nagaland, sponsored by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, held at the Auditorium Hall, SIRD, Kohima on April 9.
In her address, Tosheli said the Adoption Regulations, 2022 mark a significant step towards strengthening child protection and adoption systems in India. Introduced under the Juvenile Justice framework, the regulations seek to make the adoption process more transparent, efficient and child-centric. She stressed that every adoption decision must prioritise the child’s best interest, ensuring placement in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
She further highlighted that the regulations promote in-country adoption, giving preference to placing children within their socio-cultural environment. The new provisions, she said, focus on transparency and accountability through digital systems and centralised registration, while strengthening the role of District Magistrates to speed up the adoption process and minimise delays.
Calling adoption an act of love, she urged stakeholders to work with empathy and commitment, adding that the programme provided a valuable platform to understand the regulations in depth and collectively contribute towards building a more responsive adoption system.
Delivering the welcome address, secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Social Welfare and Mission Director, Mission Vatsalya, Limawabang, described the regulations as a progressive step towards ensuring welfare, protection and rights of children in need of care and a loving family. He said adoption is an act of compassion, responsibility and hope, and noted that the regulations framed under the Juvenile Justice Act are intended to simplify, streamline and strengthen the adoption process while keeping the child’s best interests at the centre.
Limawabang informed that between April 2025 and March 2026, a total of 11 Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) were adopted in Nagaland—eight through in-country adoption and three through inter-country adoption. He said the regulations also promote inclusivity, allowing single parents and relatives to adopt, thereby broadening opportunities for children to find loving homes.
Earlier, Junior Professional, CARA, Ritu Rani Bhankur, highlighted various aspects of the Adoption Regulations, 2022, including relative adoption, step-parent adoption and foster care, while also speaking on the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and the integration of Mission Vatsalya Portal in the adoption process.
The programme was organised by the State Adoption Resource Agency, Mission Vatsalya, Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland.