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.