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Kerala Cradle: 1000th Baby Saved in 24 Years
17 Aug
Summary
- The Ammathottil project has successfully received its 1000th infant.
- Over 97% of infants received have been adopted by families.
- The initiative started in 2002 to provide a safe way to surrender infants.
The Ammathottil project in Kerala has marked a significant milestone with the reception of its 1000th infant on August 4, 2026. This initiative, launched on November 14, 2002, provides an electronic cradle for parents to anonymously surrender infants safely.
The 1000th baby, a five-day-old girl named Sahasra, symbolizes the project's 24-year journey. Over 97% of the 1000 infants received have been adopted, with 681 girls and 319 boys finding homes in India and abroad. The facility in Thiruvananthapuram receives the majority of infants.
Initiated after harrowing incidents of infant abandonment, Ammathottil aims to prevent harm to newborns. The system alerts authorities, and after medical checks, infants are made available for adoption if parents do not reclaim them within 60 days.
While ideally unnecessary, the project addresses social realities forcing child surrender. Kerala plans to establish a human milk bank by January 2027, further enhancing care for infants at adoption centers.
