Country report of India on the situation of children in residential care

Country report of India on the situation of children in residential care in anticipation of the Second International Conference on Children and Residential Care: New Strategies for a New Millennium, to be held in Stockholm 12 – 15 May 2003. India is a country with multifaceted cultures and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Technological innovations and developments are rapidly taking place. Globalisation and liberalisation policies are benefiting those persons in society who are socio-economically better off. In the wake of the current hegemonic circumstances, it is generally acknowledged that social development needs to be directed at the marginalised segments of the population, especially children as a highly vulnerable category. Because of armed conflicts and natural and man-made disasters, it is appropriate that this country report be presented to make visible the magnitude of the problems of marginalised children facing enforced institutionalisation because of environmental circumstances beyond their control. This report attempts to give a brief overview of residential care for children in India and seeks to highlight efforts made by the government and non-government organisations towards alternative care options for Indian children.