THE NEED OF PEOPLES PARTICIPATION IN BEGGARY ELIMINATION

Abstract

Even though beggary was considered an honorable deed in ancient India, it was still restricted to the domain of students and monks. Today, not only has beggary increased in its magnitude but also become a major concern for the society as well as the economy. Studies have shown that beggary is not an isolated phenomenon but an amalgamation of many background problems such as poverty, unemployment, family disintegration, diseases, physical inabilities etc. Moreover, the social and cultural values of the country have traditionally promoted beggary. Whether people beg due to various compulsions or have over time adapted it as a profession, what is important to note is that beggary may have been accepted and even respectable in Indian culture but today it is not. It is a vicious circle; idleness may be a cause of beggary but once it sets in, it leads to further disenchantment and lack of enthusiasm towards productive work. And naturally, crimes like theft, robbery, fraud, cheating, etc are associated with beggary. To liberate the person from this circle, it is important to make him or her independent and arrange for proper rehabilitation, eventually paving the way for such people to become a part of the mainstream production and social system. This will also pull society towards a level of equality and stability, and needless to say, this process will require the support of the entire society. To put it simply, it is noble and considered a religious act of benevolence if alms are given to a person who is helpless and unable to survive on his or her own, but if such a person is provided with stable arrangements of living and rehabilitation, it will be a greater act of charity and morality. This research paper provides a detail analysis of impact of people\'s participation in liberating beggars from the vicious circle of beggary.