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6.4. It is to be noted _ t the outset that all recognised child welfare agen- cies working in the field fo 'n-ter-country adoption have shown willingness and ability to followthe guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court. ~ Institutional backgrounds and value commitments of the responding agencies have been reflected in their respective responses. 'These agencies are running children':

homes for crisis-affected babies who are brought to them by the police or aban- doned by unwed mothers. They believe that society must value its children and solve the problem of their destitution.

6.5. Various child welfare agencies working in the field of inter-country adootion had in their responses highlighted the working of the scheme relating to the adoption of Indian children by foreign aencies. Those agencies have faced a number of problems and they have made suggestions for the removal-

of those problems and also for facilitating the smooth functioning of the entire scheme to provide inter-country adoption. We have gone through the responses and the various suggestions made therein. The Commission expresses Its deep anpreciation of the commendable work being done by the voluntary orga- nisations in this field. The details of the responses are contained in Appendix I. On a close scrutiny and analysis of the responses. we find that the ex- perience gained by agencies shows a remarkable phenomenon that contrary to general belief Indian children adonted by foreign parents are looked after we]! and they have full opportunities for their development. In our opinion,- this should be an eye opener to those who express apprehension or spread disinfor-

6.6. The problems faced and suggestions niade. by the Child _We1fare agencies, being relevant for the purpose of this report. are szimmansed as under:

..I. Law on adoption Sil'Ju'i(i be "child centred" and look after the interests of children on a priority basis.

, 2. There is no statutory l.:;».t' providing for adoption of children in India except the personallaw of His:d;.s and there is a need to have a secular law which should be enabling ar.:l permissive in order to encourage adoption so that the home to the needy child is provided.

The Indian Council of Social Welfare screens the family documents of the foreigner and, accordingly, makes a recommendation to the court. The judge gives his order if he is satisfied with the case. Thus that every family applying for adoption from overseas is screened by a series of authorities for their character, motivation. stability, mental and physical health, employment and income and life style.

After such screening there have been no cases of misuse or abuse and the problems which have come to light concern the common problems of teenagers and family situations rooted in the child's sense of rejection by his birth parents.