Begging in India
While reading a news in TOI, I came across an article. A beggar was found dead with Rs. 2 lakh in his pockets. Whislt I appreciate the honesty of police in that certain city (I mean Indian police not pocketing the money and searching for the beggar's relative/s to hand them the booty - big clap) I also wonder as to why he (beggar) could'nt use the money to do something constructive like create a small business and stop begging. Are we responsible for fuelling the begging business. Every culture and religion in India emphasizes 'zakhat' (donations/alms) to the needy. Personally I have given alms to many beggar women (with almost dead children in their arms) at the traffic signals, I do question myself - 'am I doing right' ? I have seen the hinjaras/eunuchs getting (rather squeezing out - lol literally) more money from the passengers in train than a crippled beggar.
While I favour a lady with children (cause as a mother I empathize with them) my friend is generous to the old ones - she says they are the discarded ones. Another friend quips 'I give only to those I know personally' - but then won't they be indebted to you and the chances of asking favours from them increases, which kind of defeats the very purpose of selfless donations. DH, makes a stiff face which clearly says 'NO ...NO and don't even think' but I have seen him getting generous with the innovative ones. :-)
The question is, do we ignore them ? and how ? - I can't bring myself to say 'chalo chalo aage chalo' sounds very rude and then I can't act deaf either. How do we know who deserves the alms ? Do you give alms back home ? Should we ?
