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Begging to differ?
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At times when the stomach rules the mind, frail, mud-smeared hands hesitantly reach out for that ice-cream cone making its way to a well-fed face, only to be sharply slapped away. And the next time hunger pangs strike, the same spindly hands resort to a surer way of subsistence — grab and run. Stroll down MGs and you will find a beggar every five feet. Tired, blind, uneducated, emaciated, plucky, handicapped, enterprising, frustrated, angry, hungry — a world wholly different from the one where the well-heeled uncomplainingly hand over Rs.120 (plus tip) for a coffee. We all have seen glimpses of this world at traffic signals, temples, shopping centres, food courts and bus stands. Many matter-of-factly dismiss it as an existential
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"When I hear stories of how these beggars grab food, I get a little scared, but I know that it is not their fault. They are forced to beg by other people— they are the ones who have to be put in prison. What's the point in hating these kids?"
Sujit
Management professional
"We keep complaining about these beggars pushing and pulling us. But instead of just talking or feeling sad about it, the least we can do is call up a Child Line and ask them to take over. Everybody has a cell phone these days, so there is no excuse for being passive."
I. Ashwin
Marketing executive
"What can be done to stop this? Everyone feels sad for the kids. Some ruffle their hair and walk off. But that doesn't help. They're still on the road, aren't they? We can't despise them for being poor."
Upendra
Model
"India has become a place for beggars. If there is no institutional care for the largest percentage of our country, shame on our government. There are homes for beggars but those places have to become more realistic and pay the homeless more money."
Tarani
Systems graduate
"The government doesn't have to give us subsidies and waivers in price. We'll pay for everything we buy. All I want is for the government to eliminate these beggars. That should do. I'll never pay these urchins. Never."
Somasundaram
Sales manager
"The beggars usually concentrate on high traffic areas. Cops need to come into the picture here. There is an image we have to keep in front of tourists, you know."
Ms. Menon
Corporate employee
"Why should we shoo them away? I usually give some money. Rs.10 doesn't make much difference to me, but for them, it is a question of survival."
Krishnaveni
Homemaker
"The children we see begging on the road are usually orphans from neighbouring states and countries, here because of extreme poverty. It is very sad... The government must take them off the road and send them to school. It is not so difficult with so many people ready to sponsor such education programmes."
Shakira
Homemaker
"I think these kids don't beg because of need. Many times, they opt for money and refuse any food you give them. That means there is an organiser who taking advantage of them."
Krishna
Corporate employee
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