India has turned into an international hotspot for commercial surrogacy, since 2002 when commercial surrogacy was legalised in India, in addition to its cost effectiveness. However, this practice is being unregulated since it has been legalised as there exist no law to govern surrogacy in the country. (Read: Why India s illegal surrogate industry needs to be regulated)
A small district in Gujarat, Anana, which was home to India's first milk co-operative Amul movement empowering scores of women has turned into a surrogacy destination since 2007. Pushpa, a surrogate mother, has her womb for hire which means that she is ready ot bear your child provided you pay for it. She is one of the many women who are using this technique to turn their dreams into reality. Pushpa says, ' Although my husband first opposed my decision to opt for surrogacy, I convinced him because it is one of the effective medium to buy our dream house. (Read: Indian celebrities who opted for IVF)
Most women living in this area have taken surrogacy as an employment. Dr Nayna Ben Patel runs in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic in Kaival Hospital in this area. He said, 'I will help these women throughout my lifetime. We are also trying to build a support group for surrogates and lend financial support for them.' For surrogate mothers, the time they get their cheques and the umbilical cord is cut, the child doesn't belong to them. Although surrogates in bigger cities like Mumbai get a sum of 3 to 5 lakh, those belonging to smaller cities like Anand get half of the amount. in some cases, these women are exploited due to inefficient laws and weak guidelines. (Read: India the world s surrogacy capital?)
Dr Rajesh Parikh said, 'For things that are influenced by money there do exists a darker side to it. Money has the power to influence people from every section of the society.' In the past few years, surrogacy has emerged as a powerful medium to attain financial stability for most people. Although there is money that can be gained through IVF treatment, but people need to think is this the right medium to achieve it?
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