Streechetana conducted Padanasadassu on the topic ‘Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016’ on 1^st October 2016, at Alakapuri, Calicut. Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. P. C. Sindhu, Aster MIMS, presented the topic. She pointed out that the bill is not a complete ban of surrogacy but a control on commercial surrogacy. The bill would help to prevent the exploitation of surrogate mothers as well as the protection of the rights of children born out of surrogacy. The foreigners are banned from availing this facility and the surrogate mother needs to be the close relative of the married Indian couple who doesn’t have children after five years of marriage as per the bill. Surrogacy is allowed only once for a surrogate mother. The bill also ensures that the surrogate children are not refused by the parents on any grounds.

Followed by the presentation, a discussion session was held in which the audience could express their views and suggestions regarding the bill. A notable point that came up in the discussion was that though the bill attempts to stop commercial surrogacy by getting a close relative as surrogate mother, it may lead to many practical difficulties especially in states like Kerala.

A.R. Supriya presided over the program in which Prasheela. K delivered the welcome address and Beena Pramod delivered vote of thanks. Dr. K. S. Jayasree, Anu Rose Mary, Abitha M, Preetha K, and Reshma Raghuveer spoke on the occasion.

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