Norway controversy: Grandparents relieved after return of kids

Kolkata: Grandpa and grandma of the two children of an NRI couple Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya, today expressed happiness that the kids, taken away by the Norwegian Childcare Services on grounds of “emotional disconnect” for eight long months, would be handed over to their uncle. “This is undoubtedly a matter of great relief that Abhigyan (3) and Aishwarya (1) will now be returned to their parents and we are eager to see them back here”, said Sikha Chakraborty to a TV channel. Turning emotional at the decision finalised at an agreement between India and Norway, Sikha said ‘‘we have not seen them for a long time. It seems that not a single second is wasted. “I had a telephonic talk with my daughter in Oslo today for a short period and I came to know that they too are happy at this news. But we will never allow my daughter and son-in law to visit Oslo anymore. We will inform them that India is the safest country they should choose to live”, Sikha Chakraborty said. Monotosh Chakraborty, grandpa of the kids, said he would advise his son-in law not to visit any Scandinavian country anymore. [caption id=“attachment_194281” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Monotosh Chakraborty, grandpa of the kids, said he would advise his son-in law not to visit any Scandinavian country anymore. Screengrab from CNN-IBN”]  [/caption] The agreement between Indian government through its mission in Norway, Municipality of Norway, Norwegian Childcare Services, the parents (Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya) and their lawyer named Anurup’s brother as the primary caretaker of the two children, official sources said in New Delhi. The agreement said the uncle, Arunabha, has agreed to the parents wish and is aware of the responsibility and he will be the children’s primary caretaker, the sources said. The family said that the President Pratibha Patil was earlier urged to take up the matter with the Norwegian government. Abhigyan and Aishwarya were taken under protective care last May by Barnevarne, which claimed emotional disconnect with the parents, and placed them in foster parental care as per the local Norwegian court’s directive. The Bhattacharyas say cultural misunderstandings are to blame — the Norwegian authorities objected to the children being fed by hand and sleeping in the same bed as their parents. The other reasons cited were use of unsuitable toys and clothes besides insufficient room for the children to play in the house. The NRI couple’s desperation for a quick resolution also stemmed from concerns that their visas for Norway expire in March. After that, fighting a legal battle there will prove to be extremely tough, they say. Following the plea by the family, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had spoken to his Norwegian counterpart and requested them to find an “amicable and urgent” settlement. India expressed its concerns to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the children were being deprived of the undoubted benefits of being brought up in their own ethnic, religious cultural and linguistic milieu. “I think the diplomatic pressure has helped,” Svein Michelson, Norway Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. The couple were staying in Stavenger, about 500 kms from the Norwegian capital. Anurup works as a geo-scientist with an American firm Halliburton. Krishna has also written a letter to his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr thanking him for his help and cooperation. PTI