“Adopt adoption law”

I refer to Behram Dastur’s letter ("Adopt adoption law,” Parsiana, February 2004) and agree with his views. While we have been debating whether or not to recommend an adoption bill for Parsis, many issueless young couples who yearn for children are ‘adopting’ children as per ‘the law of the land’ or as palak or dattak and, in the absence of Parsi children, non-Parsi children.

I have heard that there is an orphanage in Iran for Zoroastrian children which has been established by some well-wisher from India and, if this information is correct, we should do our level best with the good offices of both the governments to bring these children to India, the infants for adoption and the older children for rehabilitation before they lose their identity in the mainstream of Iran.

Incidentally, I have come to know of a young couple who has ‘adopted’ two siblings from a family of humble means in a novel way. The children continue to stay with their parents but all their needs are taken care of by the couple. The couple visit the children in their home from time to time and the children are also invited over to the couple’s home at other times. Such ‘adoptions’ should be encouraged and well-to-do Zarathushtis and community institutions from India and abroad should come forward to ‘adopt’ underprivileged children in a similar manner with a view to support and encourage them to live and study on par with others. RASHID MEDORA

Ahmedabad

The Editor replies

Daryous Irani of the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman clarifies that an orphanage was started in Yazd by Peshotan Dossabhoy Marker but is not operational now. A high school for boys and girls started by Marker is still functional.