When we started two years back, we knew that the area we were entering into was largely unexplored and therefore would require lot of patience and strategic flexibility to learn and unlearn but little did we know about the scale of unpredictability.
We thought we were into the subject but the nature of destitution is so complex that you tend to enter the dangerous zones of forming opinions very swiftly. I’m calling it dangerous because you see a person who has been on the street for his entire life and still hopeful of getting back to his family somewhere sometime, on the other hand you have a person who is happily settled into the life where he is continuously dependant on others. For him it is the only way of living.
People were always talking about the so called ‘syndicate’ of beggars. In our two years of close association with the people who are into begging, we are yet to encounter such organized grouping. What we have seen is informal and instable living patterns where people are coming together but its more for the fulfillment of that basic element of life, which we all call as ‘emotions’ than because of any economic motives.
Somebody who is seen as an exploiter through the eyes of social worker could be the only support available to the perceived exploited person. Many people encountered us by saying that we are doing irrelevant stuff because these people on street don’t really deserve the care and protection. According to these friends, the homeless person is homeless because he wants to be one. Destitute is begging because its easy money for him and he doesn’t want to work but same people kept quiet when we asked them if they are ready to appoint such people to work,? If they are,we’ll provide them with willing people.
Life is nothing short of puzzle and a very strange one. How else do you explain the complex web of human relations? The cases that we dealt with brought out so many different aspects of life. As we moved deeper, different realities of life were unfolded. People lied to us but those lies were the truth of their lives’. There were several factors leading to state of homelessness but breaking down of the family ties emerged as one of the biggest contributing factor to homelessness and destitution.
Last year was significant for the project in many ways. First, our team grew. Two new members joined the team as project officers. We were also able to garner more support for the program as people began to acknowledge and see the impact that this team created.
Year saw us reuniting more than 500 people with their families.Some of them have been away from the family since several years.Every time a family was traced,a ray of hope was started for an otherwise lonely soul.
It was like our dream turning into reality when we were able to pull about 10 people out of begging.It took us long time to give them enough confidence about their survival once they were out of their occupation of several years. Today,they all are at work. They have reaffirmed our belief that no body wants to beg,for no body wants to strip himself naked of his dignity and pride.
Yes,pride and dignity are what you loose first as circmstances force you into world of abuse and dependance.
There is a very citical difference between those who beg and those who are processed under ‘beggay prevention Act. Unfortunately,the law which aims at rehabilitation of destitute and abondoned people who are forced into begging,has actually become a major factor contributing to begging.The way its implemented,every month hundreds of innocent people were arrested and kept in custody.We investigated and ensured that such people were presented fairly in the court and released accordingly.
This year we were also able to set up small unit for vocational training where about 40 clients were provided training in various trades.
We also entered into significant but complex area of mental illness. A small pilot has been started with Regional Mental Hospital.Through this,we are trying to address to the needs of those with mental illness but lodged inside beggar’s home.It was very evident that many of the cases that we dealt with, especially those of women, had some element of mental illness and somewhere this component of illness coupled with certain other factors and family situations led to their state of destitution. This was quite disturbing phenomenon and we have attempted to address it at very critical stage.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Criminal Cities.....
Cities have been increasingly growing into spaces where poor are being denied entry and all possible efforts are being made to get rid of the poorest person.Beautification of the city,in most of cases,happen at the cost of the most needy.That last one person.
Anti beggary law,among other measures, has become a very effective tool in the hands of governments to create poor-free cities. Using this law,poor could be arrested anytime,anywhere and that too,without a warrant.
Last few months have seen Delhi state using this law very forcefully.Not doubting the intention of officials when they say that the government is trying to rehabilitate people who are into begging through different measures,we still need to rethink about the process of doing this.
We certainly don't want our people to beg.We support any effort that would ensure them a life of dignity and respect.To help them come out of begging.But to ensure that rehabilitation plans actually yield results,it is crucial that the causes for such extreme destitution are understood.Government must make efforts to understand various compulsions and circumstances that force the person into a life where abuse and humiliation are routine rituals. Until we begin from this end,there is little hope of any efforts seeing success.
Begging,undoubtedly,is the form of absolute helplessness and destitution.If the government is really serious about the rehabilitation of those into begging,it will have to do much more than just arresting them and putting them in custodial institutions.Please remember, its not an option that they have taken willingly.In fact, its not an option actually.Its the absence of any option at all.
Yesterday i was in the Jama Maszid area of Old Delhi.Its a place where the number of homeless citizens,including those into begging is huge.I saw something that i'll not forget for very very long time.
As i was walking down the street, a cycle ricksaw passed by,with a passenger sitting on it.There was an aged blind person,few metres ahead,standing in the middle of the road,asking for alms from passersby.
Rickswapuller slowed down his ricksaw,took out some money from his torn shirt and kept on this old man's palm.Then,he slowly sped away.
This sight was amazing.Poorest of poor helping another poor. To me,its the reflection of our deeply rooted concern for our fellow beings.This is how we are.We have it in our genes,in our culture, to help those who are infirm,disabled,aged,sick or simply needing our support.
Could any law finish this basic nature of 'US'? I doubt it.
I appeal to all concern systems and people at large,lets be more sensitive.Lets be caring.Lets take care of our people.We must make efforts to take our people out of destitution and begging but in a manner in which they feel being loved and cared for.Where they know they do have a worth as humans,that they are being wanted. Not in a way that leaves them feeling more humiliated and being a burden,questioning their existence.
If we could do it,that would be real inclusion.
It will be the Social order that we would be proud of.
Anti beggary law,among other measures, has become a very effective tool in the hands of governments to create poor-free cities. Using this law,poor could be arrested anytime,anywhere and that too,without a warrant.
Last few months have seen Delhi state using this law very forcefully.Not doubting the intention of officials when they say that the government is trying to rehabilitate people who are into begging through different measures,we still need to rethink about the process of doing this.
We certainly don't want our people to beg.We support any effort that would ensure them a life of dignity and respect.To help them come out of begging.But to ensure that rehabilitation plans actually yield results,it is crucial that the causes for such extreme destitution are understood.Government must make efforts to understand various compulsions and circumstances that force the person into a life where abuse and humiliation are routine rituals. Until we begin from this end,there is little hope of any efforts seeing success.
Begging,undoubtedly,is the form of absolute helplessness and destitution.If the government is really serious about the rehabilitation of those into begging,it will have to do much more than just arresting them and putting them in custodial institutions.Please remember, its not an option that they have taken willingly.In fact, its not an option actually.Its the absence of any option at all.
Yesterday i was in the Jama Maszid area of Old Delhi.Its a place where the number of homeless citizens,including those into begging is huge.I saw something that i'll not forget for very very long time.
As i was walking down the street, a cycle ricksaw passed by,with a passenger sitting on it.There was an aged blind person,few metres ahead,standing in the middle of the road,asking for alms from passersby.
Rickswapuller slowed down his ricksaw,took out some money from his torn shirt and kept on this old man's palm.Then,he slowly sped away.
This sight was amazing.Poorest of poor helping another poor. To me,its the reflection of our deeply rooted concern for our fellow beings.This is how we are.We have it in our genes,in our culture, to help those who are infirm,disabled,aged,sick or simply needing our support.
Could any law finish this basic nature of 'US'? I doubt it.
I appeal to all concern systems and people at large,lets be more sensitive.Lets be caring.Lets take care of our people.We must make efforts to take our people out of destitution and begging but in a manner in which they feel being loved and cared for.Where they know they do have a worth as humans,that they are being wanted. Not in a way that leaves them feeling more humiliated and being a burden,questioning their existence.
If we could do it,that would be real inclusion.
It will be the Social order that we would be proud of.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
hope of hopeless......
What would have happened if i was not born in family that i'm born in? What if my father hadn't been earning as much as he does?What if i was not privileged to have received best of education from the leading institutions through out?
What if i was born or forced to live on the street?
Life would have been very very different.Thief,drug addict,lazy,beggar,opportunist,criminal,gunda,ganjedi are some of the names that i would have earned: not for being or having commited any of these acts but for being on the street.
Life on street is killing.Its an everyday struggle to survive.And i salute the grit and determination of people who go through extreme range of abuses everyday,who are robbed off their dignity every day in one form or the other,whose pride is attacked almost every single night by range of violators.
I salute the people living on streets.I salute homeless citizens of this country.They are forced to prove that they are not anti social.They are not even recognized as the citizens of this country.They are being given no identity that would show their citizenship still they are hopeful from life.Extremely positive.Have complete faith in their state,their people,their leaders.They hope that one day things will change.A day will come when people will be able to look beyond their dirty clothes,when people will be able to come out of the wrong notions built about the homeless person.When humans will treat them as humans.When humans will see that they too are humans.
They are optimist for a day to come when we'll be able to see how hard they work to earn two meals a day,when we'll be able to see how one person sacrifices his dreams,his ambitions,his entire life to make sure that his parents,children and family live peacefully.
A day when we'll be able to notice those drops of tears that emerge everytime his identity is questioned.Everytime when his dignity is being assaulted.
A day when his dream of leading a life of respect and dignity will be fulfilled.When he'll be free in independent India. Free from hunger,illness and abuse.
I too hope that day arrives.
I too hope that his unquestionable faith in his people comes true.
I too hope that changed day arrives
I too hope he is freed from hunger,illness and abuse.
I too hope humans become humans one day.
I too hope we get freedom some day.
Have been dreaming for long for that day of independence..........
What if i was born or forced to live on the street?
Life would have been very very different.Thief,drug addict,lazy,beggar,opportunist,criminal,gunda,ganjedi are some of the names that i would have earned: not for being or having commited any of these acts but for being on the street.
Life on street is killing.Its an everyday struggle to survive.And i salute the grit and determination of people who go through extreme range of abuses everyday,who are robbed off their dignity every day in one form or the other,whose pride is attacked almost every single night by range of violators.
I salute the people living on streets.I salute homeless citizens of this country.They are forced to prove that they are not anti social.They are not even recognized as the citizens of this country.They are being given no identity that would show their citizenship still they are hopeful from life.Extremely positive.Have complete faith in their state,their people,their leaders.They hope that one day things will change.A day will come when people will be able to look beyond their dirty clothes,when people will be able to come out of the wrong notions built about the homeless person.When humans will treat them as humans.When humans will see that they too are humans.
They are optimist for a day to come when we'll be able to see how hard they work to earn two meals a day,when we'll be able to see how one person sacrifices his dreams,his ambitions,his entire life to make sure that his parents,children and family live peacefully.
A day when we'll be able to notice those drops of tears that emerge everytime his identity is questioned.Everytime when his dignity is being assaulted.
A day when his dream of leading a life of respect and dignity will be fulfilled.When he'll be free in independent India. Free from hunger,illness and abuse.
I too hope that day arrives.
I too hope that his unquestionable faith in his people comes true.
I too hope that changed day arrives
I too hope he is freed from hunger,illness and abuse.
I too hope humans become humans one day.
I too hope we get freedom some day.
Have been dreaming for long for that day of independence..........
Being poor is being criminal
Rahim Ali: Ali, 28, truly reflects how the youth in our country is being forced to move out of his place to look for livelihood and then being criminalized. Class 12th pass, coming from a small village in West Bengal, Ali came to Mumbai about four years back in search of better employment.
Initially, he did odd jobs and survived, but later he found a regular job of maintaining accounts at a small restaurant. He also knows tailoring and left his restaurant job as he got employed with a tailor in Khar. He worked there for one year but then the tailor closed his shop and moved to Dubai. Since then, he started doing odd jobs, most regularly catering work and as a porter. He visited his family once in a year and regularly sent money back home.
He got arrested while he was sleeping outside a tea stall along with his friends. This is the place where they had been sleeping for long and the tea stall owner knew them well (in their free time, these people use to sit there and chat). At the time of arrest, he requested the police to speak to the stall owner and verify that all those people were working people and not beggars. But he,along with all others, was pushed into the van. On their repeated confrontations, they were told that they’ll be released in the morning. That never happened.
The Probation Officer gave them the option of getting bail but they didn’t have the required amount of money and there was nobody who could help them.
That was the period when Koshish was applying for special releases through the probation officer.
We visited the tea-stall owner and verified whatever he had told the project team. On the basis of a report submitted by Koshish, he was finally released.
Since his release Koshish is in touch with him. He has even visited Beggar’s Home once to meet the social workers. He has started working again,
But he is not sure if he’ll not be picked up again.Also, we are unsure if he’ll ever be able to come out of the pain that those 14 days brought to his existence.
Such incidents make me think if we really are free? Aren't we still bonded,governed by rules and laws that criminalize poor for just being poor.What kind of society we want to be?
I feel ashamed when i think of myself as part of a system where humiliation and suppression of hard working youth is supported by state law.
Initially, he did odd jobs and survived, but later he found a regular job of maintaining accounts at a small restaurant. He also knows tailoring and left his restaurant job as he got employed with a tailor in Khar. He worked there for one year but then the tailor closed his shop and moved to Dubai. Since then, he started doing odd jobs, most regularly catering work and as a porter. He visited his family once in a year and regularly sent money back home.
He got arrested while he was sleeping outside a tea stall along with his friends. This is the place where they had been sleeping for long and the tea stall owner knew them well (in their free time, these people use to sit there and chat). At the time of arrest, he requested the police to speak to the stall owner and verify that all those people were working people and not beggars. But he,along with all others, was pushed into the van. On their repeated confrontations, they were told that they’ll be released in the morning. That never happened.
The Probation Officer gave them the option of getting bail but they didn’t have the required amount of money and there was nobody who could help them.
That was the period when Koshish was applying for special releases through the probation officer.
We visited the tea-stall owner and verified whatever he had told the project team. On the basis of a report submitted by Koshish, he was finally released.
Since his release Koshish is in touch with him. He has even visited Beggar’s Home once to meet the social workers. He has started working again,
But he is not sure if he’ll not be picked up again.Also, we are unsure if he’ll ever be able to come out of the pain that those 14 days brought to his existence.
Such incidents make me think if we really are free? Aren't we still bonded,governed by rules and laws that criminalize poor for just being poor.What kind of society we want to be?
I feel ashamed when i think of myself as part of a system where humiliation and suppression of hard working youth is supported by state law.
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