Activities

Support Group

Support Group - Atmaja originated with the idea that adoptive families often need to discuss their particular problems and experiences with others who have similar experiences. We also felt that it is healthy for our children to meet other adopted children, so that they know that they are not “strange” or “weird”. Thus many activities that Atmaja organises are social gatherings such as picnics, outings to the zoo, film shows or just occasions to meet and chat while the children play. We also have interactions with counsellors on “Better Parenting” and other issues. A list of such activities include:

• Annual picnic
• Film show for children
• Outings to the zoo, Victoria Memorial
• Workshops on Better Parenting with Samikshani and Jadavpur University Centre for Counselling and Self Development
• Workshop on hyperactivity in children with Baul Mon
• Regular social gatherings
• Publication of newsletter Atmakatha

We also maintain Office Hours every Friday from 6.30 to 8.30 pm at 28 Ballygunge Gardens, Kolkata where many people come and visit, often with their children.

Awareness Raising

Awareness Raising - Atmaja feels that social awareness regarding adoption and issues relating to adoption need to be improved. Thus, Atmaja has actively kept in touch with both print and electronic media in order to highlight adoption. Many articles on adoption and Atmaja’s activites have appeared in the Kolkata press. Atmaja members have also participated in television programmes. A two part documentary on Adoption which was screened on DD7 during Adoption Week in November 2003 was made by the EMRC with active input from Atmaja. Atmaja also regularly writes Letters to the Editors of newspapers and magazines on issues related to adoption.

• Atmaja tries to inform doctors about the option of adoption so that they may advise patients about the possibility of adoption.
• Atmaja has spoken to some schools about the issue. For example, some schools insist on the nursing home certificate, rather than the Municipal Corporation Birth Certificate, as proof of age for children during admission. Atmaja has ensured that in such cases, the deed of adoption be accepted by them.

Social Responsibility - Preadoptive Counselling

Social Responsibility - Preadoptive Counselling:

When we adopted, some of us were lucky to have friends who had adopted. They helped us through the process. Others did not know much about the process or the best way to prepare for adoption. Thus Atmaja felt that Pre-Adoptive Counselling is a way to help parents and children through the initial stages of adoption. Atmaja has developed a Workshop for couples who are thinking about adoption. Atmaja has also prepared a booklet in English and Bengali which contains a lot of information full of essential information.

Legal Issues

Legal Issues:

There are many legal problems facing those who adopt or wish to adopt. One is the fact that working parents do not get the leave and other benefits that biological parents enjoy. We have been advocating for this benefit at all forums.

Parallel Act

Parallel Act:

Atmaja has been developing a Parallel Act for Adoption to address certain legal problems that are currently plaguing the issue of adoption. First, as Adoption is under the Personal Laws of the country, only Hindus are able to adopt. Yet Adoption is growing more and more popular among all communities. Secondly, this act is more child-centric, gender-neutral and humane. We are lobbying for this Act at the State level. We have already met with legal experts, politicians, social activists and members of the State Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, including the Speaker of the House. We hope to be in a position to introduce this Act at the state Legislative Assembly soon.