Poverty, Old Age Forces Grandparents to Give Away 9-Year-Old for Adoption in Odisha’s Bargarh

Bargarh: An elderly couple in Odisha’s Bargarh district has made the difficult decision to hand over their nine-year-old granddaughter to the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for adoption.

As per reports, Mukunda Banchhor and his 73-year-old paralytic wife from Sakhadunguri village under Jharbandha police limits had been raising their granddaughter since their son’s death in a 2016 accident. Their son’s wife, the child’s mother, had also left home after the incident due to mental health issues.

Due to ill health, poverty, and their inability to work, the couple struggled to provide for their granddaughter’s education and future. With limited government aid and no other family support, they decided to approach the District Administration for help.

“We’ve raised her since she was 10 months old. But for how long will we be able to look after her?” a teary Banchhor told media. “We can’t give her the education she deserves. We also worry about what will happen to her after we’re gone.”

Jharbandha Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) Coordinator Rakhi Meher assisted Banchhor with the formalities at the Bargarh district headquarters.

Following a two-month period where Banchhor can still visit his granddaughter, the CWC will initiate the adoption process to find a suitable family for her.