For many, there is another factor that makes them adopt a girl child — to do something for society. Like Bangalore-based Mandira Kumar, 43, director of Sutradhar, an NGO that deals with early childhood education. She adopted one-year-old Tarini in August last year. “After turning 37, I decided to remain single. In India, women do not enjoy the status they deserve. Adopting a girl gave me the satisfaction of having done something for women in a small way.”

Like Kumar, Pune-based Nandita Wagle adopted seven-month-old Ananya in September only because she wanted to do something for the country. “Whether I marry or not is secondary, what's important is that I am not adding to the chaos of over-population,” says the 33-year-old teacher at Alliance Francaise. Most adoption centres say the demand for a girl child has gone up by 50 per cent since the 1990s. While adopting a child can take a minimum of 8-10 months, girls are now more sought-after.

Today, Shravani, Nikki, Tarini, Ananya and Avani are a few of those lucky girls who have found a home and a mother for themselves. A beginning has been made and it is only a matter of time before more single moms adopt girl children. Perhaps that is a thought that makes Pethe nod in contentment as she brings Shravani back home. And as she puts her to bed, there is a smile on her lips. It can cheer up many a girl child.