Child adoption in Bengaluru sees 72% rise between 2020-25: Study
Bengaluru: Child adoptions in Bengaluru have surged by nearly 72% over the past five years, from 2020–21 to 2024–25, according to data from the State Adoption Resource Authority (SARA) cited by Deccan Herald on Wednesday. Across Karnataka, the increase stood at around 20% during the same period.
The state currently has 21 government-run and 24 privately-run specialised adoption agencies.
Officials quoted in the report attributed the rise to growing awareness and acceptance of adoption among couples compared to previous years. However, they also highlighted a significant mismatch between the number of children available for adoption and the number of prospective parents waiting.
“There are currently close to 2,279 parents waiting to get a kid for adoption and there are only 27 normal kids and 55 special needs kids available for adoption. There is a huge gap and parents have had to wait a long time,” DH quoted Arundhati T.S., Deputy Director, State Adoption Resource Authority (SARA),as saying.
The minimum waiting period for adoptive parents is around two years, and it can extend further depending on their preferences. Arundhati explained that parents can choose two states based on their background or even cluster of states, like they can choose their preference as South India. As the number of states increases, the options they get also increases and this might reduce their waiting period.
An official quoted by DH further noted a gradual shift in adoption patterns. While most applicants are still couples unable to conceive, there has been an increase in unmarried people expressing interest in adopting and becoming single parents.
As November marks National Adoption Awareness Month, it has been observed that most adoptive parents prefer children under five, believing it helps in early bonding. The preference for gender remains evenly split, though officials have noted a steady rise in interest in adopting girl children in recent years.
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DSP’s red hair earns criticism, Odisha Police asks him to maintain decorum
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Police has found itself in a spot after some of its personnel, including senior officers, were criticised on social media for sporting coloured and unconventional hairstyles.
The latest incident was reported from Jagatsinghpur district, where a DSP-rank officer was trolled online for his red-coloured hair, putting the police administration in an awkward position, a senior officer said.
The officer, identified as Rashmi Ranjan Das, saw his hairstyle go viral on social media, drawing criticism from several quarters.
Some users termed the look "unprofessional", while others questioned whether such an appearance befitted a uniformed officer, alleging it undermined the authority and seriousness associated with the khaki.
"After finding the DSP being trolled on social media, I have instructed the Jagatsinghpur SP to tell the officer to maintain decorum and keep his hairstyle decent, befitting a man in uniform," Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik told PTI.
Naik, however, said the police department has not yet issued any circular or order in this regard.
"We have told the officer to maintain decency. Everything cannot go by written orders. From constables to senior officers, everyone in the police service should respect the uniform and give utmost priority to decency," he said.
Another senior police officer said women police personnel across the country, including Odisha, are also seen colouring their hair in shades such as coffee, chocolate, ash, auburn, caramel and golden.
"One cannot issue an order to keep hair black always. There are people who have natural brown hair. This apart, greying is also a natural phenomenon. What can be done in these cases? Therefore, no order can be issued with regard to hair colour," the officer said, adding that it depends on individual police officers.
A woman police officer in the city, who has coloured her hair ash, said no law or rule prohibits such choices.
"We are in the police and perform our duties responsibly. People should not comment on a person’s hairstyle. We welcome criticism if we commit mistakes, but colouring hair is not a crime," she said.
A retired IPS officer said that while the police manual does not explicitly prescribe hairstyles, personnel are expected to maintain the image of a security force.
"Creating a controversy over a non-issue serves no purpose," another serving officer remarked.
