In this episode, you will hear from Koushumi Chakraborti, a 40-year-old single parent who adopted Shanaya, an intersex child, which means they was born with both reproductive organs and are often mistaken to be "transgender" or "third sex". Activists say that at least 10,000 babies are born intersex in India every year, and awareness is low on the clear distinction between ‘intersex’ and ‘transgender’. This problem is further compounded with the society's pressure to assign a sex to the child at birth and often parents are offered surgery as the only option by doctors who term the same as "corrective procedures". This lack of awareness compounded by the stigma of giving birth to an intersex child also means that some children are abandoned out of fear. It is in this context, this story of Koushumi and Shanaya is important. Koushumi is from Bangalore and is a single mother who is breaking through all stereotypes. Koushumi refers to her child as "they". 

<div>In this episode, you will hear from Koushumi Chakraborti, a 40-year-old single parent who adopted Shanaya, an intersex child, which means they was born with both reproductive organs and are often mistaken to be "transgender" or "third sex". Activists say that at least 10,000 babies are born intersex in India every year, and awareness is low on the clear distinction between ‘intersex’ and ‘transgender’. This problem is further compounded with the society's pressure to assign a sex to the child at birth and often parents are offered surgery as the only option by doctors who term the same as "corrective procedures". This lack of awareness compounded by the stigma of giving birth to an intersex child also means that some children are abandoned out of fear. It is in this context, this story of Koushumi and Shanaya is important. Koushumi is from Bangalore and is a single mother who is breaking through all stereotypes. Koushumi refers to her child as "they". </div>

Dear Pari, India’s first narrative podcast on adoption hosted by parents Rakesh and Priya, will take the listeners through their journey of adopting their daughter while discussing pertinent issues. Parents, adoptees, government officials, anti-trafficking experts on child adoption are part of this series. This series is brought to you by Suno India, a podcast platform for issues that matter. Subscribe on https://www.sunoindia.in

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