It has been quite sometime since I have been thinking of writing my first blog. . But as one of my friends always says "Better late then never". So I chose 2 be late ;)
Today as i was passing by a school in my locality, I stopped unwillingly to listen to small kids singing "Saare Jahaan Se Achha, Hindustaan Hamara....". As these magical words approached my ears I was a bit confused as to how many of these children actually understand the meaning of this Great Composition. But at the same time I was proud that we as a country, have developed considerably so much so that we can afford at least primary education to the "future of our nation".
But this pride was all gone in a few moments, as I stopped at a red-light near a busy Delhi-flyover. I saw a few kids cleaning the wind-shields, some other trying to entertain people with their tricks while some other begged to earn a rupee for their meal. And I was Confused yet again.... "ISN'T THIS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY??"... As the red light turned to green I saw a few generous people taking out money(Actually 1 & 2 Rupee coins!!!) from their pockets and actually "throwing" them to these poor children... Thus even avoiding direct contact with the little ones... And I wondered isn't this a child-abuse by our so called "modern society" of highly "educated" people???
This incident held my mind and I was forced by my soul to write down my thoughts as a "Blog!!!". We as a country are one of the fastest growing economies in world, our sensex is reaching new heights everyday, Govt. Policies are being appreciated world-over(except for left), and we are shouting from our roof-tops "INDIA INCREDIBLE" & "INDIA SHINING". But has any of our governments ever tried to look at one of the areas which has been hurting India more than what hurts when u sit on a pointed pin??? Such is the dilemma that the number of beggars in the nation has well crossed 8,00,000 figure mark(And that too according to census!!!). "Beggars" as we all know them have always been a section of society that has remained unaffected by the Government policies. It has been 60 long years since we got independent, many a governments came and many went away almost all sections of the society were affected. Except for the Beggars!!!
And now the time has actually come when we the people of this nation should come together and join our hands to eradicate this wrongly prevailing so-called section of "Beggars". Although it will require some significant steps from government as-well. According to me what beggars actually need is not "alms" and "monetary help", what they actually need is some help through providing shelters, employment and even job-oriented training etc. And we as responsible citizens should stop giving alms to the beggars.
Because once alms are given these people are encouraged more that why to do hard-work if you can really earn by simply stretching your hand. This very thinking of there's really needs to be changed.
Our govt. should work on providing adequate infrastructure so as to provide free-education to the small kids who have actually lost their identity in this cruel world. The more mature beggars should be provided with job oriented courses such as cane weaving, furniture making etc. The physically disabled beggars should be provided with free food and they should be immediately shifted from religious places to rehabilitation centres.
People like you and me should not only restrict ourselves from giving rupees but also contribute with our used clothes, shoes etc. so that items with no-use tag can be converted into meaningful help for these needy.
If govt. cannot actually provide infrastructure and its support then it should make it mandatory for all business houses with a turnover of Rs. 20 Crore and above to adopt at least one "Rehab Centre" & "training centre" of beggars. It may put a little burden on corporates but will surely make a huge difference to the ones who are actually shivering in cold lying on the footpaths while me and you sit in a warm blanket in front of heater/blower.
Together we can make India the best place to live in. . .
(Your Comments are most Welcome!!!)
Today as i was passing by a school in my locality, I stopped unwillingly to listen to small kids singing "Saare Jahaan Se Achha, Hindustaan Hamara....". As these magical words approached my ears I was a bit confused as to how many of these children actually understand the meaning of this Great Composition. But at the same time I was proud that we as a country, have developed considerably so much so that we can afford at least primary education to the "future of our nation".
But this pride was all gone in a few moments, as I stopped at a red-light near a busy Delhi-flyover. I saw a few kids cleaning the wind-shields, some other trying to entertain people with their tricks while some other begged to earn a rupee for their meal. And I was Confused yet again.... "ISN'T THIS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY??"... As the red light turned to green I saw a few generous people taking out money(Actually 1 & 2 Rupee coins!!!) from their pockets and actually "throwing" them to these poor children... Thus even avoiding direct contact with the little ones... And I wondered isn't this a child-abuse by our so called "modern society" of highly "educated" people???
This incident held my mind and I was forced by my soul to write down my thoughts as a "Blog!!!". We as a country are one of the fastest growing economies in world, our sensex is reaching new heights everyday, Govt. Policies are being appreciated world-over(except for left), and we are shouting from our roof-tops "INDIA INCREDIBLE" & "INDIA SHINING". But has any of our governments ever tried to look at one of the areas which has been hurting India more than what hurts when u sit on a pointed pin??? Such is the dilemma that the number of beggars in the nation has well crossed 8,00,000 figure mark(And that too according to census!!!). "Beggars" as we all know them have always been a section of society that has remained unaffected by the Government policies. It has been 60 long years since we got independent, many a governments came and many went away almost all sections of the society were affected. Except for the Beggars!!!
And now the time has actually come when we the people of this nation should come together and join our hands to eradicate this wrongly prevailing so-called section of "Beggars". Although it will require some significant steps from government as-well. According to me what beggars actually need is not "alms" and "monetary help", what they actually need is some help through providing shelters, employment and even job-oriented training etc. And we as responsible citizens should stop giving alms to the beggars.
Because once alms are given these people are encouraged more that why to do hard-work if you can really earn by simply stretching your hand. This very thinking of there's really needs to be changed.
Our govt. should work on providing adequate infrastructure so as to provide free-education to the small kids who have actually lost their identity in this cruel world. The more mature beggars should be provided with job oriented courses such as cane weaving, furniture making etc. The physically disabled beggars should be provided with free food and they should be immediately shifted from religious places to rehabilitation centres.
People like you and me should not only restrict ourselves from giving rupees but also contribute with our used clothes, shoes etc. so that items with no-use tag can be converted into meaningful help for these needy.
If govt. cannot actually provide infrastructure and its support then it should make it mandatory for all business houses with a turnover of Rs. 20 Crore and above to adopt at least one "Rehab Centre" & "training centre" of beggars. It may put a little burden on corporates but will surely make a huge difference to the ones who are actually shivering in cold lying on the footpaths while me and you sit in a warm blanket in front of heater/blower.
Together we can make India the best place to live in. . .
(Your Comments are most Welcome!!!)
4 comments:
The issue which has come up with the article is not New. All of us who have gone through this article will agree that we have seen these situations i.e kids all around your cars and bikes Begging. We never knew what emotion to express at that time Hatred,Anger,Pity,emotional we all noticed It but we were reluctant to express.. thinking what we alone can do about it. First of all i would like to appreciate parminder for giving us a platform to discuss one of the most relevant issue in recent times.
My take on the topic is not very different from pammi 1.We should not give any money to the beggers as this give them incentives to beg more and more daily 2. fault is again of System people dont have Trust on the government System thats why poor never send their children to school not even in a government school which is loaded with many incetives given by government.
Ask yourself do you beleive in Indian system Indian police Judiciary Government schools...then how can those poors?they are way below us they dont have any choice dear no body listen to them.they are treated shabbily everywhere hence they have lost faith in everything including God.
Solution : ideal solution is, It should start flowing from the Top i.e Government front, proper planning keeping target consumer psyche(poor's in this case)in mind is required which will take Ages.
So public private partnership is required Proper planning wih Perfect execution can do the job.
Poverty is not smething New what is new is we now have the resources and ways to alleviate poverty but real question is whether we have that WILL or not.
As i was going through the TOI on 30th January I came across a very interesting news which was related to our topic of discussion here "BEGGARS". The news was something titled as "NO MORE BEGGARS ON DELHI ROADS!". I went through the whole story and laughed by myself and thought that whether this the starting of a transformation of the nation or is this yet another effort by Government to show people that "Govt. is alive".
The plan of the govt. seems to be controversial in the first look itself as it wants to eradicate beggars in a phased-out manner. I wonder how can the govt. actually think of doing that.... Imagine our govt. starting to eradicate beggars from ISBT then moving to PVR Saket... :) . . seems disgusting...
Is this the way in which highly responsible govt. of national capital territory of Delhi should actually make plans.... I am sorry to say that such an idea if ever adopted by the govt. would be nothing but BUllshit....
As Puneet already said that govt. will take ages to actually understand the psyche of the poor people.... and this is simply because once our Honorable Netaji becomes a minister he is only concerned about how much he can earn by simply rolling out a plan....
Had our Governments for the past 60 years taken this issue a bit seriously then today we might not have been termed as a country of beggars...
Better late then never.... as i already wrote.... May be our govt. realizes the mistakes it has committed in the past and may be some day these people born with shear bad luck may live out of beggar tag.....
Thanks pammi bhai for raising my conscience. I use to watch all the inspirational movies talking about bringing a change and used to think when will i be able to contribute to it. Will it be simply by paying taxes (which i haven't done yet), and casting votes and sticking to other civic responsibilities.
I do strongly support this opinion of not giving money to the beggars. When I say money, I strictly am against money (with Gandhiji's photo on it) and I am not opposed to the support been provided in kind( like food or clothes), because this would hamper the cash flow in the beggar racket and thereby breaking its backbone.
Chalo then, if at all we succeed in breaking the cash flow the next question would be what else can be done for rehabilitation. This would be tough. Not as if there isn't a way out. Sure we can raise our voices loud enough until we get heard, but it is going to be difficult because this is when it gets FILMY. I mentioned all the inspirational films, I had been a great fan of. What I realized was To Bring About A Change, WE NEED TO BE THE CHANGE. Either we need to educate them as to be self sufficient or we need to educate ourselves to find out the NGO's involved in this field and getting them involved.
So Pammi Brother I appreciate your effort. Would wait for the next step. Lets start with u itself, when we meet next time CP, will see if the cash is headed to others roads except for the one that ends with boozeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......... OOPs i feel intoxicated.
for all those who dnt want to get their hands dirty, stop mud slinging on others.
Govt ke pass pehle hi bahut kam hai, abe litna kaam karvaoge bachhon se.....(Pun intended).
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