Dealing with beggars
Begging is a complex social problem with no quick fix. The way we come across various reports on begging brings out the fact that shows that beggars are so used to begging that they actually prefer not to work. There are Paisewaale beggars which shows that many of them make more money from begging that what they would if they did work.
In my opinion the beggars are on the streets because society has failed them. Our social and political systems have broken down and cannot therefore look after them. If you ask me should we give alms, my honest opinion will be a big “NO”.
I have personally found that most of the beggars are not disabled. Most of them are able bodied. They can earn money by doing some sort of work. But they beg because they are lazy. They think that begging is the easiest way of living. Such situation has been arisen due to various factors prevailing in our society.
Poverty, parental death and illness, loss of parental love and affection and loss of love and affection of their children are some of them. Can’t we think where do the beggars go if no one gives alms? Will they go hungry and die in mass? Absolutely “No”. I opine that the first step towards preventing begging is to stop giving alms. One must remember that it is perfectly normal protocol to ignore beggars in a given situation, but don’t lecture them on how they should live their life or spend their money.
Vinod C. Dixit
B-15 Jyotikalash Society,
B/H Sundervan
Ahmedabad – 380 015 (India)
