Begging In India
TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE....
In the previous post, we
talked about the beggar mafia in India. We have also taken a deep dive into child
begging and arms for alms scandal, but we still don't know how to eradicate
begging from our society.
In India, beggars are numerous and it isn't just the elderly and
the sick who beg but children as well. Many of us could easily be tempted to
give money to these people or even buy food for them, but the truth of the
matter is we would be doing more harm than good. The fact is that many beggars
are doing it because they would rather not work and a day of begging can often
yield much more in the way of profit. This is only a small part of the problem
though.
In the case of children, many are conscripted by gangs who use
them as a means of lining their own pockets. The children never receive any
money, are ill-treated and brutally used in order to make them look more sympathetic
to foreigners. Even with gifts like food and clothing children will sell them
for money or even exchange them for drugs.
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| © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar, via Wikimedia Commons |
Meanwhile, the Indian Government seems only to be
addressing the symptoms of the begging problem. Drivers who give out money to beggars
at certain intersections of Delhi are heavily fined. The police also treat
beggars like thieves driving them away from the street corners where they
congregate, but though many beggars in India are thieves, there is a small
number that are legitimately sick, injured and desperate for help. The
Government needs to find a way to separate these two camps of beggars and deal
with them in different terms.
However, we cannot always rely on the Government to make
good choices in a timely manner. It matters more that we as individuals work
together and take small steps toward change. There are ways we can help eradicate
the tide of poverty and begging in India and throughout the world.
- If we have the means, we can teach beggars life skills and trades that can help get them off the streets.
- If we wish to give money, we can give it to local organizations where it will be put to good and proper use.
- We can give them employment.
- We can also engage with them as human beings in need of support.
Saying ‘no’ to a plea for money can be difficult at times,
especially if the beggar is a child, but in the end we all have to make a decision.
Do we want to treat the symptom or the sickness?
I think it is always better to give. You never know when you are going to be in that situation and you will need the help.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! You have a beautiful heart Maria.
DeleteSo true. We need to solve the problem. I hate to see anyone suffering.
ReplyDeleteIt can be so hard to know who legitimately needs help. This seems to be the case everywhere I travel.
ReplyDeleteagree!
DeleteIt is one thing to give to those that are in legitimate need and are truly struggling and trying. It is another to give to those that can work but choose not to work. It makes in sick (mad) in America when I see a healthy man (yes I can't see his insides but on the outside he looks pretty darn healthy), his wife (she looks healthy also) and their kid sitting on a curb begging for money. Sadly, you must think it is a ploy. I am one for giving to families in my community that are down on their luck and trying but not to one with a sign by a stop light. We have offered a hot meal to people and they refuse it .. we have offered work to people and they refuse it. I know not everyone is the same but in America, and I know this post is not about America but that Is all I can speak to, we have resources.. so many resources.
ReplyDeleteThis happened with me as well; I offered meal to a few and they refused it. They even refused clothes :I
DeleteThank you for bringing light to situations such as these! I think each situation is different - opportunities for teaching and for giving should be available to those in need. But some will do better with one over the other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tough Cookie Mommy. There's a saying. I'd rather give and find out it wasn't really needed, than not give and find out it was.
ReplyDeleteI like to think people would do the right thing with some money - however I am more inclined to pop to a shop and buy someone a hot drink or a sandwich than give money.
ReplyDeleteYou always give, always. We have a large homeless population out near Phoenix and if I have money, I give money. No judgement. I'm grateful for the blessings the Lord has given us and I definitely want to give out of an overflow of love.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I love how you suggest giving them life skills. Clearly they are begging for a reason. Rather then punishing them, try to find a solution.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard when you see children or the elderly or disabled begging. It's so shameful that people use children to get money and drugs and mistreat them.
ReplyDeletethis is a very difficult topic. I agree that sometimes impossible to turn them away even knowing the back story
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tough Cookie. You never know when you will be the one who needs the help! Amber N
ReplyDeleteI always give and probably always will. Esepcially to women and children. I can't stand seeing anyone in need or suffering
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea this happened. Are they begging because they are homeless, need food, etc? If that was the case I would help.
ReplyDeleteThat would be soooo hard to say no, but I see your point that the money isn't really going where you think it is. But I can't stand that these children are forced to beg.
ReplyDeleteI would want to treat the illness and not the symptoms. I have seen beggars leave their post and get into nice cars so some are just con artists looking for a hand out.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Sometimes you just don't know who really truly needs the help or whose pulling a scam.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I hear what you're saying I personally would give. Since I have no idea who's legit or not I always tend to give. I do however wish the gov't would do more to alleviate the problem.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough call. I adopted the rule that I would give to charities that support the homeless. In this way I know my money is being directed to people who need it and its going were it needs to go.
ReplyDeleteThis would be such a tough situation. I usually give something when i see someone pan handling. I would want to try to help.
ReplyDeleteIt is just soooo difficult not to give - I give sometimes and other times, I'll suggest they go to a church and ask for help...and horrible to hear about all the troubles!
ReplyDeleteFor me - its okay to give - it is an act of gratitude and there is nothing so wrong about that.
ReplyDeleteMy opinions on this topic are way too strong for this little box, but I try not to give to beggars. They put themselves in that position and they can more than likely get themselves out. On the flip side, you never know if you'll ever be on that side... so then I contradict myself. Its a touch situation.
ReplyDeleteThis is always so hard, to give or not to give. I tend to always give. I can't help it, especially if it's a child. You never know what someone is going through, has gone through, or what that little bit you do give can do. It couold be life changing.
ReplyDeleteI always try to give when i can. I have never been to India but i have always wanted to go.
ReplyDeleteI give when I can, I hate saying no but sometimes I'm hurting just as bad and cannot give. With four kids they take priority first. I still feel guilty saying no, but.. in the end when I can I do give
ReplyDeleteIt can be difficult to decide when to give here in NYC as well. I would rather give food than money that can be used to support a substance abuse habit.
ReplyDeleteI live in Toronto and every single time I go out I get asked or change or money. I don't ever give, and not being I'm mean or cheap but because I don't carry cash. I use my debit card for everything. My oldest who is almost 13 gives anytime he has change! - jeanine
ReplyDelete