Latest news with #MushtaqPathan


Time of India
11-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Second Chance at Love: Grieving Nagpur Couple Finds Healing In Foster Care
Nagpur: After the unimaginable grief of losing their only child, a young software engineer working in Australia, a well-to-do couple from Nagpur found their world turned upside down. The grief and aching silence, settled like a heavy fog over their lives, lifted recently due to the voice of a 13-year-old girl — their foster daughter — who is bringing light back into their a deeply moving turn of events, the couple, now in their late 50s, chose to become foster parents under the govt's Foster Care scheme, a lesser-known provision under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Their decision marks the third successful foster care case in the city and a powerful example of how love and purpose can emerge from profound girl, who was found wandering in Umred taluka at the tender age of six, spent the last seven years in a govt-run home. Though she was safe and cared for, she longed for something more — a family, a home, a place to belong. That longing is finally being all due procedures and participating in several meetings with the girl to ensure mutual comfort, the couple received approval to take her in as their foster daughter. In the next two days, she will step into a home — not just a house — for the first time in timing adds a layer of poignancy to the moment. Just two days after Mother's Day, the woman — who once feared she'd never get to be a mother again — will finally have the chance to give love, warmth, and guidance to a daughter who needs it just as couple's journey from heartbreak to hope was supported by the tireless efforts of officials working behind the scenes. Under the guidance of district women and child development officer Ranjit Kure, and on-ground efforts by district child protection officer Mushtaq Pathan and protection officer Vinod Shende, the foster care initiative is quietly transforming lives in Nagpur."The girl is excited. She has met the couple a few times and feels comfortable. After following due procedure and multiple meetings with the girl, the foster care was approved. The girl will be handed over to the family in the next two days," said an official closely involved in the district has already seen two successful foster care placements. One child was taken in by a govt employee, and another by a college professor. Both children are now attending English-medium schools and adjusting well to their new lives. Regular follow-ups ensure that both children and parents are receiving the support they need. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !


Time of India
11-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
14 children in Nagpur looking for loving foster families
Nagpur: After three heartwarming success stories of children finding new homes under the foster care scheme, the city's child and women welfare department is calling on kind-hearted citizens to open their hearts — and homes — to 14 more children who are waiting for a chance at family children, currently living in govt-run homes, have one thing in common — they are either orphaned or abandoned, with no one to call their own. But thanks to the govt's foster care scheme, a door of hope remains child welfare officer Mushtaq Pathan said foster care is a beautiful scheme for children as well as parents, as it provides them an option to become a family. "After a child is handed over to a family under the foster care scheme, and he or she has spent more than two years with them, then there is also provision for permanent adoption," said Pathan, adding that the child given in foster care is aged between 6 to 18."We urge parents wanting to foster a child to come forward, as it takes only two to three months to complete the process. The parents can contact the 1098 child helpline toll-free number or approach the district child protection unit office," said if a couple wants to adopt a child, they have to wait around three to four years due to the long waiting list. So, foster care provides another option for parents wanting to give their love and affection to another child. The adoption of children can be when they are aged between one month to six years said that as adoption takes much time, child sellers exploit gullible parents. "Even earlier, multiple child selling rackets were exposed in Nagpur, so foster care is a better option as it not only provides a stable home to children but also gives couples a chance to become parents," said sources. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !