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As the second wave of Covid-19 wreaks havoc across the country, destroying lives, disrupting economic activities and breaking families, thousands of children are bearing the brunt- silently. Many have lost both parents and many are left with one, leaving them orphaned overnight and devoid of parental love, care and guidance. Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that as many as 577 children from across the country were orphaned after their parents succumbed to Covid-19 between April 1 and May 25. Well this number could be under reported and it might increase as the crisis continues to rage. Irani said that the government of India is committed to looking into the welfare of the children who have lost both parents to the pandemic and that a counselling team at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) would be there for those needing help. This is reassuring. However, the government should keep its word and ensure that these children are protected and taken care of every step of the way.
The Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected children across the world, especially those from underdeveloped and developing countries like India. They have been deprived of normal traditional classroom education for over a year now and the future looks bleak. There are high chances of thousands of children from poor families dropping out of school. Considering the vulnerability of children arising out of this crisis, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued guidelines in connection with helping of children who have lost their parents due to the pandemic. Citing messages being shared on social media, offering children who have lost their parents to Covid for adoption, the ministry has advised the public not to engage in such illegal activities. It also highlighted several laws related to protection of children without parents and reminded that they should be produced before District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 24 hours, excluding journey time. The guidelines were issued at the right time and a much needed one because these children could land up in the hands of human traffickers and illegal adoption rackets that look for easy prey even during normal times. Communities as well as governments should come together to protect these vulnerable children. Those who wish to adopt orphan children can approach central adoption resource authority and not through unlawful ways. The government should ensure that these orphaned children are supported financially, emotionally and in education. They deserve help especially during this health crisis of the century. If we fail to lend a helping hand, these children will suffer long after the pandemic is gone. And we can’t afford to do that.