First Infant of the Year Received Under State's Cradle Scheme
A newborn baby girl became the first child to be received under state protection in Thiruvananthapuram in the year 2026. The infant was placed at the government-run Ammathottil, or cradle baby scheme, on Saturday night.
Discovery and Immediate Care
The baby, estimated to be around 10 days old and weighing 1.965kg, was discovered in the cradle around 8 pm. Soon after the cradle alarm was triggered, the child's image appeared on the monitoring system at the adoption centre. Nurses, staff, and caretakers rushed to the spot and moved the baby to the childcare centre for an initial medical check-up.
Following the preliminary examination, the infant was transferred to the Thycaud Government Hospital for Women and Children as she required further medical attention. Doctors reported that the baby was in a stable condition and was being closely monitored.
Naming and Official Response
The state child welfare council general secretary, G L Arun Gopi, announced in a press release that the baby had been named 'Pourna'. The council has already initiated the necessary steps for the child's adoption process.
However, the official statement also made an urgent appeal. It asked anyone claiming guardianship of the infant to contact the state child welfare council immediately.
Highlighting the Scheme's Continued Relevance
This incident underscores the ongoing importance of the Ammathottil initiative in preventing unsafe abandonment. According to data from the state child welfare council, the facility in Thiruvananthapuram received 30 children between September 2025 and January 2025. A further 12 children were placed there until August 2025.
The scheme provides a safe, anonymous, and legal alternative for parents or guardians who are unable to care for a child, ensuring the infant's immediate protection and access to healthcare and a future through adoption.
