A major problem in our city
Each of us reacts differently to this problem, that we face everywhere in our city…at traffic lights, as pictured here, on pavements, near homes…
Some of us feel the pull at our heartstrings and part with a coin or two, or even a couple of notes; some of us, remembering the last article we read in the newspaper about how begging is an organized activity, and how children are “hired” to get more money from people, turn our faces away mutely; some of us are bothered about it long after we get home, but are completely lost as to what to do about this problem.
And problem it is. What can be done about beggars? Are they one step worse than those who offer to wipe our windshields with dirty clothes, or sell various cheap knickknacks and thrust them in your face when you are waiting for the light to change? What is THIS beggar woman and that emaciated child is NOT part of the organized gang? What if they have genuinely fallen on hard times? What is in store for that malnourished child, who is, surely, in a ghastly situation for no fault of his own?
I am sorry…I am thinking, but am not able to come up with any valid solutions that will help these mendicants, and make sure they are off the roads….
Any suggestions?
90% cases they are professionals. Very good chance that they are not local. I have strong suspicion that they are coming from mumbai/h’bad/kolkatta. The knickknacks they carry are manufactured precisely to be sold on traffic signals. I pity their poverty, but I know that they are being exploited by some gangs. The money you’ll give them would not reach in full to them. Suggestion: First burst the racket. Then NGOs can act.
Right to beg?
I am a resident of Habsiguda in Uppal zone of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. I regularly, rather everyday commute to Begumpet, about 17 to 18 kms from my residence, for earning my daily bread.
Everyday I notice loitering and diseased beggars at the Railway Officers’ Guest House near the cross roads at Sangeet theatre, precisely near the Railway Officers’ guest House, accost passersby and pester them for alms.
While one sympathises for their condition, beggars have no right to force passersby to listen to them or intrude into their privacy by tapping on vehicles to draw attention. They should be legitimately prevented from pestering drivers waiting at traffic signals.
If one cares to look at long line of beggars near Mettuguda church on Sundays and Fridays waiting for alms, one feels sorry. Beggar couples having three four children and moving about begging for alms is also common sight. One can understand, if a beggar is disabled, sick and old or diseased and unable to carry on.
Able-bodied beggars in the prime of their life seeking alms is unimaginable and unpardonable. If these beggars are offered any work like cleaning houses or office premises with a promise of payment, they are reluctant. It is easier to beg than working.
While one fully sympathises with the condition of beggars and their plight, helpping able-bodied and young beggars is misplaced charity. It only encourages them to lead carefree life as long as thegoing permits.
If one travels by inter-city day trains in AP, one would understand the amount of problems faced by ticket/reservation passengers who are harassed to no end by streams of beggars, disabled, abled and diseased.
With catering people carrying snacks openly in trays from one end of the train to the other and diseased beggars almost rubbing shoulder to shoulder with them, coughing and wiping their faces and so on one can imagine how far one can be charitable.
when i saw this picture, i was reminded of GBS and rex and audrey. this could very easily be eliza, the flower girl. she is a very pretty girl. with a little makeup, styling, the right clothes, and some direction and coaching; she could be a princess.
Hello Deepa Mohan I read your blog comment on the topic crossword in Bangalore Dialy Mirror. I am also very much cryptic crossword addict. I would like you to share your answers with me if you dont mind. I also solved yesterdya dh puzzle i.e 15th Sept completely. Did you get all?
With regards
Ramaprasad. N
Vote.
Participate.
Call out corruption & root it out.
Help educate the urban & rural poor.
If you don’t vote, you are not using the biggest voice that you already have.
Suggestions:
1) Could try for building a beggar/poor home like old age home or orphan home.
2) Finance could be come many sources for the above like people adopting a child – some people would adopt one of them.
3) Not to make them lazy and begging on the road – need to find them some earning practice like making food items like papad/aapla or preparing agarbathi or candle or some stuff like this…etc
4) Major finance could be collected if all the people of city or rural people could afford just one rupee per week or per month (this would be just like some tax paying but not forced one like our dear govt. – this need to be just the moral responsibility or duty of our people) would slowly give a larger revenue.
5) Make some older beggar with family less guy as the leader or manager of the beggar/poor home and some body the initiator could just overlook the operation.
6) The first and last most would be to just stop entertaining these on the traffic or mall or hotel or that said for any spots where this practice normally is found or seen.
Last said and done , the above is very easy to just type or thing but very tough for implementation ……Sad………….
-A occassional reader-
Few days back I saw one such women and children near garuda mall getting out of an auto.
Why can’t the lady go and work, most cases the elderly ones look fit!!!