Readers' Forum
Searching for roots
My name is Franziska Lalan Merkel and I am from Konstanz, Germany. I am trying to find out more about my Indian Parsi background. I was born in Bombay on December 14, 1981 and given to the Shraddhanand Mahila Ashram at Matunga the next day, on December 15, 1981. Not much is known about my biological parents. From the beginning I bear the name Lalan which may well have been given to me by the sisters in the children’s home or by my birth mother.

Four weeks later, on January 15, 1982, I left for Germany with my adoptive parents. I grew up with them in the most loving family imaginable. However, I still very much feel connected to my Indian roots and my natural parents who should be in all probability from the Parsi community as confirmed by the lawyer involved in the adoption court case. I have just finished my PhD in cross-cultural psychology. I am currently in India for a short while and I would be very glad about any hint to trace my origin.
If you know anything about my family of origin please contact me by e-mail at: fla.me@gmx.de
FRANZISKA LALAN MERKEL
Konstanz, Germany

Franziska Lalan Merkel
Four weeks later, on January 15, 1982, I left for Germany with my adoptive parents. I grew up with them in the most loving family imaginable. However, I still very much feel connected to my Indian roots and my natural parents who should be in all probability from the Parsi community as confirmed by the lawyer involved in the adoption court case. I have just finished my PhD in cross-cultural psychology. I am currently in India for a short while and I would be very glad about any hint to trace my origin.
If you know anything about my family of origin please contact me by e-mail at: fla.me@gmx.de
FRANZISKA LALAN MERKEL
Konstanz, Germany
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