Who said beggars can't be choosers?

Smriti Kak Ramachandran
The Hindu
Sunday May 27, 2007


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This research was done by Prof S L Tandon under the banner of Department of Social Work.

See entire research report


In Delhi, a survey has revealed that there is more to beggars than meets the eye

MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE: Even as the Capital prepares to host the Commonwealth Games-2010, there is no getting away from scenes such as this one here on Janpath. - PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY

NEW DELHI: Poverty, age and disability are not the only grounds for begging. At least that is what a new survey of beggars just conducted in the Capital has revealed. The surveyors even found four post-graduates supplementing their monthly salaries by going round begging over the weekends!

Conducted for the Social Welfare Department of the Delhi Government by Delhi University's Department of Social Work, the survey has thrown new light on some interesting aspects of begging and beggars.

Of over 5,000 beggars surveyed on the streets of the Capital, four turned out to be post-graduates, six graduates and 796 having studied up to the secondary level.

The survey revealed that begging attracts even those who are able-bodied and educated.

Conducted across different areas of the Capital, the survey showed that the total earnings from begging ranged from Rs. 50 to 500 a day, with most beggars opting for it in the face of little earning capacity, poverty, infirmity, destitution and age.

Of those surveyed, 799 men and 1,541 women were able-bodied but still continued with their chosen profession because they did not find alternate career options.

"Most beggars were found outside temples and other places of religious significance, where alms are given more readily. The respondents said they made more money on weekends," said an official.

"The survey," said Social Welfare Department Secretary D.S. Negi, "has indicated that most of the beggars are drug addicts and are not part of any organised gang."

Referring to the Government's proposal to make Delhi free of beggars, Mr. Negi said the Department was continually working to rehabilitate the homeless.

"We have made provisions for providing vocational training to these people in 11 homes run by the Government."

Rehabilitation

Seeking a more humane rehabilitation programme for the beggars, Head of the Department of Social Work of Delhi University Sneh Lata Tandon said: "Beggars are irked by the fact that begging is considered a crime under the Bombay Beggary Prevention Act. They complain that when they are picked up, they are arrested instead of being given an opportunity to reform."

"The Government should work out a plan for putting them into institutions where they are given vocational training depending on their requirement and handicap. Even the people who give alms need to be educated that one-time charity does not help them; instead they should be motivated to give help to institutions, which in turn empower and educate the beggars," she said.