Dear Pari

In this episode, you will hear from Koushumi Chakraborti, a 40-year-old single parent who adopted Shanaya, an intersex child, which means they was born with both reproductive organs and are often mistaken to be "transgender" or "third sex". Activists say that at least 10,000 babies are born intersex in India every year, and awareness is low on the clear distinction between ‘intersex’ and ‘transgender’. This problem is further compounded with the society's pressure to assign a sex to the child at birth and often parents are offered surgery as the only option by doctors who term the same as "corrective procedures". This lack of awareness compounded by the stigma of giving birth to an intersex child also means that some children are abandoned out of fear. It is in this context, this story of Koushumi and Shanaya is important. Koushumi is from Bangalore and is a single mother who is breaking through all stereotypes. Koushumi refers to her child as "they". See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

More than 80 percent of parents chose 0-2 years out of the fear of not bonding, missing out on the child's early days, the trauma that the child might have undergone etc. To discuss these apprehensions and to understand why disruptions often take place in older kids in India, our reporter Vaishali spoke to Radha Nagesh, a member of Karnataka state council for child welfare and a volunteer counselor for over 20 years at Viveka center for emotional support. In her experience as a counselor, she talks about how trauma can be handled, the role of foster care and the need for support from CARA to promote the adoption of older children.For more stories like this, you can listen on www.sunoindia.in. Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

In this episode of Dear Pari, we discuss the role of teachers and schools in helping children who have been adopted navigate through the many questions they are asked. Sangita also talks about the importance of honest and open communication with school authorities and teachers alike. See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

In this episode we talk about the tragic case of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews with Shanna Poteet and Reena Bana, child rights advocates and admins of Facebook page Love and Justice for Sherin Saraswati Mathews which had brought together a community of supporters demanding justice for Sherin Mathews.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

This episode deals with the one topic that leaves many parents nervous and anxious-the how-to of the disclosure. We continue our discussion with Varsha Swamy, an adoption counselor, and Saras Bhaskar, a well-known adoption counselor. You will also hear from Supriya, a single mother on how she disclosed to her young daughter.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

In this episode, we will bring to you perspectives on shaping the identity of an adoptee and why it is important to have honest and open communication line with children who have been adopted.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

Episode 2 will explore the silent and yet loud stigma about adoption. It will also highlight the importance of society embracing positive adoption language as well as role of mass media in stereotyping adoption.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

Dear Pari is India’s first narrative podcast on adoption, hosted by parents Priya and Rakesh. Dear Pari will take the listeners through their journey of adoption while discussing pertinent issues around it. We will bring to you voices of parents, adoptees and experts on child adoption in India as part of this series.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.