The Social Menace Of Begging!

The other day I was walking down the streets of Mumbai and I realized that the number of beggars has alarmingly increased. Out of curiosity I searched in Google and found that in India alone there are about 15 lakh beggars! So many beggars that, in every local train, on every signal post and under every railway bridge there are at least 10-15 beggars. Now, the question which arises is, why do people turn to begging? Most of the beggars are either Abandoned Children, Physically challenged individuals, visually challenged individuals, abandoned senior citizens or Most Commonly Lazy people who make begging their profession.

A recent survey in India Today magazine shows:

• Average income of beggars in Metros is Rs 80.
• 70% of beggars spend more than Rs 50 per day and 27% spend more than Rs 100 in a single day.
• Most of the beggars in India earn more than daily wagers.
• Rs 25000 is the average bank balance of beggars in Kolkata.
• There are more numbers of able body beggars in India than disabled beggars.
• There are good numbers of beggars with graduate and post graduate degrees and there number is increasing constantly.
• 85% of the beggars have no information about the beggar homes.
• Rs 180 crore is the worth of Beggars in Mumbai alone.

                                      In past, numbers of people and NGOs have tried their best to solve this problem of begging in India, however, most of these initiatives have failed very badly. From this survey one thing comes out clearly in front of us that begging has today become more serious problem than what we consider it is and that it requires some serious action. Begging is a business not a necessity. It is a way of ‘easy money’. The leaders of these beggar groups intentionally create beggars. There are many incidents when the hands or legs of kids are chopped off to create sympathy among the people. It is a means of earning.

     

                   Some of the facts like entry of graduate and post graduate beggars are really alarming signs and show the increasing reach of begging in India.

                           Now, what we can do to stop this is 'aandolan' or silent revolt. There is no need of any speakers and speeches but just a firm determination in the hearts. Determination to not give money to the innocent looking teary eyed juvenile figures who come running towards us when our auto stops at a signal. The intention is not saving money but saving their future. Only when people stop giving money will the beggars stop begging and resort to better options. Till then begging is a nice solution for all their difficulties.

By:

Nirja Kaplay

BPT 1st year