Vadodara: A six-and-a-half-year-old boy who was found alone at Vadodara railway station when he was five has found a new home with a couple from Italy after an international adoption process that took around 18 months.The boy was found at the railway station about a year and a half ago and was subsequently placed at a specialised adoption agency in Vadodara under the supervision of Child Welfare Committee (CWC). His adoption was formalised at a programme held at the Vadodara collectorate on Monday in the presence of state minister Manisha Vakil and senior officials.“It is heartening that a child has found a new home on the ninth day of Navratri,” said Mehul Lakhani, chairman of CWC. “The parents had also been making efforts for a long time, and they were overjoyed that they could finally adopt the child.”The adoption process involved coordination with Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), India’s nodal body for adoption, and authorised foreign adoption agencies to ensure compliance with the prescribed legal procedures.During his stay at the childcare facility, the boy received counselling and support to address difficulties with speech and communication. The staff also worked to prepare him for the transition to his new family and ensure continuity of care and support.The programme was held at the conference hall of the Vadodara collectorate. District collector Anil Dhameliya, district social defence officer B P Chudasama and district child protection officer Amit Vasava were among those present.Officials said inter-country adoption gives children in need of care and protection an opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing family environment, supporting their overall development.
