A Street Beggar

Essay No. 01

In ancient times a person took to begging only when he had been very hungry for days together and had not been able to get hold of a job. Nowadays begging in India has become almost a profession. Wherever you go, a beggar stares you in the face. You can't escape him. Besides meeting him in the street, at the bus stand, and near temples, you will find him begging from door to door.

There are some beggars who are able-bodied. They can work to earn their bread but they have taken to begging simply because it is so easy. They at times get more than many honest workers. The beggars virtually loot money in the name of religion and God. They don't deserve pity. There are other beggars who are crippled. But it is no excuse for begging. A self-respecting person -whether handicapped or not-always tries to stand on his own feet. Of course, crippled people should be helped, but they should not be given alms. Begging, in no way, is justified.

A beggar, who is a healthy but lazy man, is very clever and cunning. Some beggars go about in saffron clothes, carrying a bowl in their hands. Some beggars form singing parties and beg under the name of a charitable institution. Some sit by the roadside and pretend to be blind and deaf. They try to arouse the pity and sympathy of a passer-by. Most of such beggars are fit to work and can earn their living on their own. Sometimes beggars have even done the great crime of kidnapping little children and later training them in the art of begging.

While giving alms to any beggar, one should always keep in mind that giving a little money or food will not end his poverty. If you want to really end his poverty you should give him work instead.

Begging is a stigma on the name of the nation. The charity may be given but there should be poor houses for such disabled persons who really deserve charity.


Street Beggars

Essay No. 02

Street beggars are a common sight in big cities. Clad in rags, shivering in cold they could be seen everywhere begging in the name of God. One obvious reason for this evil is illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment. There are quite a few who take to begging because of it. But another reason is that begging has become quite a paying profession. Many evil practices have come into existence because of it. Kids are kidnapped and sold to be trained and used for begging. At times they are brutally crippled, made lame, blind etc. These get more alms as their miserable plight arouses people's sympathy. They suffer and their oppressors enjoy. Broadly speaking beggars are of two types-able bodied and disabled. The able-bodied can work and earn their livelihood but at the earlier stages they did not get work and now they do not want to work. They find begging easier and more profitable. The disabled, some due to natural causes and others due to their mentors-have no option. Beggars are a great nuisance. They are blot on humanity. They even indulge in many criminal activities. These must be apprehended and taught some craft and made to work. The kidnappers, the sellers and the owners who make the kids beg, should be given exemplary punishments. It is our moral duty to help the weak, the hungry and the suffering people. But by dispensing alms as charity, we do not help them. We should help to educate and rehabilitate them.