Poverty

is not only lack of money, it is a lack of sense of meaningDavid Bornstein

Vol. III, No. 31, 7 August 2015

Moment of Change: Beggars are no more beggars !

India is a nation with nearly 14,51,000 beggars (data till 2014). This is just an estimate that comparing to
last decade this number has gone up by 1 lakh. In Mumbai alone there are nearly 3,00,000 beggars, Delhi
has nearly 60000 beggars, Hyderabad and Bangalore have roughly 30000 beggars. Amazingly it is also
estimated that 66% of the beggars are able bodied. Their daily income is more than daily wage earners
and more surprising is 27% of the beggars spend Rs. 3,000/- to 5,000/- per month. Though Begging is not a
approved profession but has become alternate for many, very sadly.

Being a topic of social importance, it draws our attention at once and immediately another moment we
tend to overlook it by un-quoting the quotes/remarks on poverty, social upliftment, Gyanbaji on India &
its social set up. While doing all this, heart to heart, many of us thank GOD for our being wealthy &
blessed with affluent families. Atleast none of us ever anticipated to be in such a bad state of social life.
So, the question arises : Are they Aliens?

The answer is certainly No. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, GOI, is drafting 3,000 beggars for
singing paeans to signature govt. schemes on local trains of Mumbai from September 2015. So Bollywood
numbers, screeching bhajans or qawwalis in strong nasal tone in local trains of Mumbai will be replaced
with titles of Swacch Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padao & other initiatives of social and national interests.
The catch is that it will be done by Beggars who you find singing songs such as Tum to thehre pardesi,
Aadmi Musafir hai etc. most of the time during your local travel. This initiative is exemplary by itself. The
Govt. has plans to undertake training for 3000 beggars and incentivizing their efforts.

Much to the appreciating value of a mankind from status of a beggar to a marketing agent of social &
national schemes certainly bring forth a new world where bringing change in the mindset & approach of
an individual sound much easier & doable. Perhaps missing links are initiatives and innovations. These
two weapons need to be applied right upto humane way of living in this world rather than restricting
them to the world of confusing researches full of black text/tables/diagrams & newer technological
products in laboratories of educational institutions and industry.

Let us think in the interest of humanity!


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Written by: - Dr. Sandhir Sharma, Dean, CBS

Please Note :- Data used above is taken from various formal/informal sources to support the message.

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Disclaimer: This Newsletter is prepared to enhance awareness and for information only. The
information is taken from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by Chitkara
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