The Social & Tribal Welfare Department, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), organized a programme on December 5 to mark Adoption Awareness Month (November 2025). The event took place at the District Panchayat Resource Center, Agling Road, Leh.

This year’s observance focused on the theme “Non-Institutional Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs,” highlighting the importance of providing every child—especially those requiring special care—with a nurturing and supportive family environment.

The programme was inaugurated by  Kunzes Angmo, Director, Social & Tribal Welfare Department, UT Ladakh. In her address, she emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in safeguarding the welfare of children and underscored the irreplaceable role of a family setting in their holistic development.

As part of the awareness campaign, a short film on the rehabilitation and adoption of children with special needs was screened, aiming to sensitise the audience to the adoption process and the transformative impact of adopting a child with special needs.

A comprehensive panel discussion on Special Needs Adoption followed, moderated by Tashi Dolma, Member, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Leh. The panel included experts from various fields:
•    Chunit Dolma, Early Interventionist (Health Department), stressed the need for early identification of risk factors and encouraged parents to utilise available health intervention services.
•    Tsewang Dorjey, former President of PAGIR, raised concerns about social stigma that leads some parents to hide their special needs children, noting that timely intervention can enable a “brighter and beautiful life.”
•    Tsering Angchuk, Member, CWC Leh, elaborated on the legal process involved in declaring children legally free for adoption.
•    Fariya Rafiq, Protection Officer (Non-Institutional Care), briefed participants on the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2022.
•    Sonam Chosdon, Program Manager, SARA, highlighted CARA’s role as the national nodal body for adoption and reiterated the importance of promoting special needs adoption.

The programme also featured an emotional experience-sharing session, during which prospective parents recounted their adoption journeys. Among them, Deachen Angmo spoke about her personal motivation to adopt, inspiring others to consider adopting children with special needs.

The event concluded with a cultural performance by children from the Child Care Institution of the Lions Club Hostel.