Cases of parents abandoning mentally retarded kids on rise!

Nature has been harsh to them. Worsening the situation further is the apathetic attitude of the parents and relatives who have left them to fend for themselves. It is the issue pertaining to mentally retarded children which has suddenly emerged as a matter of grave concern.

Nature has been harsh to them. Worsening the situation further is the apathetic attitude of the parents and relatives who have left them to fend for themselves.

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It is the issue pertaining to mentally retarded children which has suddenly emerged as a matter of grave concern.

According to the cases received by Childline, there are many mentally retarded children who have been abandoned by their parents and they are forced to live the life of orphans.

According to the details of a local case cited by Shagufta Naqvi, coordinator of Childline, a 14-year-old mentally retarded child Pawan was found by the volunteers of Childline. "All he was able to relate was his residence being at Satna. We got his photographs published in newspapers but none came forward to claim the child. After a few days he was identified by a person as a local resident and that his family stayed in Katra area.

We immediately contacted his parents but they refused to take him back. We again sent them a notice of taking legal action against them if they refused.

Then they took back their child reluctantly," said Shagufta.

Another mentally retarded nine-year-old boy Bhola had to face similar situation. Bhola's parents too had abandoned him while showing their insensitivity towards their own child. Yet another child, an eight year old girl, has been handed over to Childline recently who was found near Subhash Crossing, Civil Lines. The whereabouts of the girl, who is mentally retarded, is still unknown as she is unable to speak properly.

Such children whose identities are unknown and whose relatives do not turn up are sent to Missionary of Charity for Mentally Retarded Children at Aligarh.

Sometimes Childline has to take care of such special children. One Santosh, a mentally retarded child, is staying with Childline for the past few days.

"We have one such school for mentally retarded children at Ashok Nagar but they take admissions of those children whose parents apply for it. It is also not a residential school. This poses problems for us. So we are left with only one option of sending them to Aligarh. Recently we sent two girls, less than ten years of age, to Aligarh and now we have received a reply from the incharge there that they have no more capacity. So we are left with no option now," she added.

"The city should have atleast a proper shelter for such children. Parents need to be more sensitive towards their children as they need special care," she said.