NE Watch Desk
Baby girl Ariha Shah, who has been living in a foster care of Youth Welfare Office in the German capital since September 2021, celebrated Diwali last month with the Indian Embassy officials after consular access was granted to her, said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
Ariha was placed in the custody when she was seven-month-old baby and suffered an accidental injury.
Bharat has been pressing for her early return to country of origin as it is significant for the child to be in her religious, linguistic, cultural and social environment.
Emphasising on the importance of the matter, Bagchi said the Indian Embassy is constantly monitoring it as Bharat has consular access.
Bharat is ensuring that Ariha is getting access to Indian culture as well as her rights are protected.
Bagchi said, “We have been making efforts towards cultural immersion of the child. Resource materials about Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over to the German authorities.”
The Indian Embassy “remain in constant engagement with the German authorities to safeguard the child’s cultural, national identity and rights and to ensure her return to Bharat,” he added.
