Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 April 2025
In a significant move aimed at bridging cultural traditions and modern legal frameworks, Rayhaan Pasha, President of the Nicobar Youth Association, has written to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, urging legal recognition for traditional adoption practices observed in the Nicobar Islands.
For generations, Nicobarese families have adopted children within their communities — particularly during times of loss or hardship — offering them love, care, and full integration into their new families. While deeply respected and accepted within tribal society, these traditional adoptions currently lack formal legal recognition, resulting in difficulties for adopted children in obtaining essential documents, accessing educational opportunities, and availing government welfare schemes.
Pasha’s letter highlights the urgent need to align customary tribal practices with statutory law, emphasizing that legal recognition would protect the dignity and future of tribal children. “This is not just a policy issue — it’s about honouring the soul of Nicobari society, where every child finds a home and every home opens its heart,” Pasha stated.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for its continuous efforts in supporting tribal communities and remote island populations. The letter calls on the concerned department, under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, to take timely and compassionate action.
The Nicobar Youth Association believes that granting legal recognition to traditional adoptions would be a meaningful step toward inclusivity, demonstrating how government and indigenous communities can collaborate to protect cultural heritage while ensuring the welfare of vulnerable children.