There’s a powerful saying in Hindi: “Paida karne wale se bada palne wala hota hai.” In simple words, it takes far more to raise a child than it does to give birth to one. Being a parent isn’t just about having a biological connection. Its greater meaning is defined by countless choices parents make every single day- especially when those choices are difficult.For Tia Bhatia and her parents, those words became a reality just months after they welcomed her into their lives. Doctors discovered a hole in Tia’s heart. Suddenly, what should have begun as a joyful adoption journey turned into an emotional test. However, despite not being connected by blood, their unconditional love became the very definition of what it means to be parents.
29 Jun 2026 | 15:40
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How Tia’s adoption story began
Images courtesy: We The Mums
Tia’s story began in an orphanage in Haryana’s Ambala, 1990s. She was left behind as an infant by her birth parents. As a frail and underweight child, “my bones showed through my skin,” Tia recalled in a conversation with We The Mums. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in Toronto, Canada, a couple was waiting for the chance to become parents. They were informed that the 19 kids were waiting to be adopted. Since Tia’s father, Nav Bhatia, couldn’t travel because of work, her mother, Arvinder Kaur Bhatia, made the journey to India alone. Tia was the very first child brought before her, and she instantly accepted Tia as her own. For the little girl who had spent the first months of her life without a family, it was the beginning of a new chapter. But within just a few months, that hope would be tested in a way no parent could have imagined. Doctors discovered that Tia had a hole in her heart, and she would need life-saving surgery.
“Our daughter is not a defective toy”
Images courtesy: We The Mums
The diagnosis came as a shock. Tia was just a few months into her new life with her adoptive family when doctors discovered a hole in her heart. She would need surgery. Tia’s mother informed the orphanage about Tia’s medical condition. She didn’t intend to get rid of Tia, instead, she just wanted to inform them. But the response she received left her stunned. According to Tia, the orphanage suggested that the family could return her and adopt another child instead. Her mother’s reply was simple, yet powerful: “She’s not a defective toy. She’s our daughter.”For Tia’s parents, “replacing” her wasn’t an option they would ever consider. Instead, they took Tia back to Canada, where she underwent life-saving heart surgery. Tia’s parents didn’t just save her life, they made sure she never questioned whether she belonged. They gave her a life filled with warmth, laughter, and belonging.One of Tia’s fondest childhood memories is surprisingly simple. She recalls that her mother would sometimes deliberately ignore her calls, just so she could hear her say “Maa” one more time. It became a small ritual that filled their home with laughter.
“We didn’t adopt you. You adopted us.”
Today, Tia Bhatia is a Toronto-based actress, YouTuber, and digital creator who has been open about her adoption journey. She often shares stories about her childhood, not just to celebrate her parents, but to remind others that family is built on love, not biology. Now happily married and living a fulfilling life, Tia continues to credit her parents for giving her far more than a second chance. But Tia’s father thinks differently. He often reminds her: “We didn’t adopt you. You adopted us.”
