Love in Every Cradle: Eight Newborns Begin Life at Kerala’s Amma Thottil

Thiruvananthapuram: In the "Amma Thottil' (Mother's Cradle) under the State Child Welfare Committee, tiny hearts are arriving one after another, each bringing hope, love, and a new story to tell. Over Thursday and Friday, two more little ones found their way into these safe havens.

At the Thiruvananthapuram Amma Thottil, an 11-day-old baby boy weighing 3.72 kg was welcomed late on Thursday night, coinciding with the day of Vidyarambham. Meanwhile, in Kozhikode, a roughly 20-day-old infant boy arrived on Friday evening, lovingly received under the vigilant care of the State Child Welfare Committee.

These arrivals are special, over the past seven days, eight babies have found shelter in Amma Thottil, a remarkable streak of care and compassion. In the week before, children named Saman, Adi, Agath, Veena, Ahimsa, and Akshara had also been welcomed, weaving together a tapestry of tiny lives in need of love.

The little boy in Thiruvananthapuram was lovingly named “Puraskaar,” as he arrived on the day of Vidyarambham. The Kozhikode infant was named “Hortus,” inspired by Hortus Malabaricus, the 17th-century Latin work celebrating Kerala’s rich plant heritage, according to G L Arun Gopi, General Secretary of the State Child Welfare Committee.

Upon arrival, both infants were taken to Thiruvananthapuram Children’s Hospital and Kozhikode Beach Hospital for thorough health checks. With no concerns detected, they are now under full care and observation, Puraskaar at Thiruvananthapuram and Hortus at Kozhikode, cradled in warmth, safety, and affection.

For families and caregivers wishing to provide permanent homes, the adoption process is now open. The committee has urged any relatives who wish to reclaim their babies to come forward promptly; otherwise, the adoption process will proceed, offering these fragile new lives the opportunity to grow in love, security, and nurturing care.