The economy of begging

I have been residing in the area where I live now for the last five years. When I came to this residential area five years ago, I saw only a handful of beggars dragging from pillar to post. Within a difference of only a few years, the number of beggars in this area has increased manifolds. Especially in the last one year, I have seen a large number of beggars populating the area, insinuating that the number of beggars is on the rise. Even in other areas of the capital, now I see lots of beggars asking for alms from the passers-by. Why is it so that more and more people are resorting to begging instead of living a life of dignity? 

Begging is a very common practice in our country. According to independent estimates, there are around 7,00,000 beggars in Bangladesh, of which 40,000 are based in the capital city. As far as begging trends in our country are concerned, there are some interesting facts to observe.

The first one being the fact that more and more people are joining the queue and getting involved in begging. There are some pull-factors that are motivating people, especially those belonging to the lowest rungs of the social ladder, to opt for such a way of life. The most significant reason is that beggars nowadays are earning a good amount of money. When I approached a beggar seeking help from pedestrians at Bashundhara R/A, she refused to open up and didn’t like the idea of being queried at all. However, she affirmed that she earns enough to feed her family members. Another reason is that begging does not require much labour. Anyone can do this sitting somewhere for all day. If you observe the faces of the beggars, you will see that the same beggars are asking for help every day in the same area. All they need to do is utter the same words and try something to draw the attention of the passers-by.    

This tendency of earning money the easy way is actually encouraging other insolvent people as well to beg for alms. Instead of indulging in manual labour some people are now preferring begging as their avocation. Meanwhile, the syndicates active in the capital and adjacent areas are now more active. Cashing in on the altruistic feelings of commoners, the syndicates are forcing new people to beg on the streets. This is also one of the reasons why the number of people involved in begging is proliferating. 

Against such a backdrop, there needs to be a concrete plan to reduce the number of beggars. If not controlled right now and the right policies not taken immediately, the easy way of making a quick buck may lure many other poor people into begging, which will aggravate the socio-economic situation further. The government and the authorities concerned need to map out a detailed plan as to how the rising rate of beggars can be brought down and the vulnerable denizens can be persuaded to live a life with dignity.

In the first place, we need to understand the main reasons behind begging – it is because of livelihood. Unfortunately, many of the beggars are disabled people. They beg because they don’t have any other option. No matter whether a beggar is physically challenged or not, the government needs to step up its efforts so that the rehabilitation process gains pace. More rehabilitation projects must be taken so that more beggars can be accommodated there.

In the meantime, we must remember that may people beg because they don’t have work. So, emphasis should be put on creating employment opportunities for them so that they get work. While devising policies, work prospects of the people with disability should also be taken into account. We are living in a post-modern world where the definition of work has changed and many diversified professions are now available. Nowadays even disabled people are contributing economically by doing works like making handicrafts that do not need physical movement. So, while rehabilitating beggars, concerned people should also keep different opportunities so that they (including the disabled people) can work as well as earn even from the rehabilitation centres.   

Most importantly, despite the fact that most beggars are illiterate, a sense of dignity needs to be inculcated in them so that instead of begging, they look for work opportunities. A sense of self-respect could turn out to be a push-factor that might keep insolvent people away from begging and an absence of it is what’s driving more people into this profession. It is seen nowadays that many strong and robust individuals are begging from people. Young ladies and stout men asking for alms attest the fact they don’t realize the significance of earning a living with self-esteem. So, this feeling needs to be aroused. Even if such beggars of relatively young age are rehabilitated, steps should be taken to instil a sense of self-respect in them. Only then, they will feel demotivated to beg.

Last but not the least, kind-hearted people who usually give money to the beggars should also refuse them sometimes, especially when the person asking for help is young. Because helping a young beggar is not a good idea at all. A young strong man/woman should never be given alms as they can work and earn a living respectfully. When people will be reluctant to offer help indiscriminately, it will also discourage the beggars who can work to beg.   

The pattern of our lives and livelihood are determined by our economic ability. So, to change any social problem, it is the economic condition that should be considered first. If we really want to ameliorate the life of the beggars and eradicate this practice from the society once and for all, these people should be offered alternatives that will empower them economically. If implemented in the right way, even beggars may turn into solvent people who could then do their bits for the welfare of the country.    

The writer is a freelance columnist.