Business of Begging
It is not uncommon to see beggars. They are present almost in all countries, states, cities, etc. It is not gender or age-specific work. Males, females, children, old, disabled, basically anyone can beg. When we think of begging and beggars, usually we visualize unkempt, destitute people begging on streets, intersections, busy market places, railway stations, etc. However, there are many types of people who beg and it is very common in everyday life. People beg for forgiveness, for favors, for promotions, for discounts, for the price adjustment, for coupons, for their NGO's, for a cause, for an organization, for fundraisers, etc.
Different countries and states have a different take on the status of begging. At some places it is legal and at others it is illegal. Unlawful begging is called Panhandling.
Types of beggars:
- Genuine beggars
- Professional beggars
- Rich beggars
- Habitual beggars
- Forced begging
- Drug addict beggars
- Handicap beggars
- Fatalistic beggars
- Disguised beggars
- Group/organized begging
Reason for begging:
- Begging for survival
- Begging for charity
- Begging for self
- Begging for an agenda
- Begging for a position
- Begging for someone else
- Begging for the abductor
- Unable to earn a livelihood
- Loss of income/livelihood
- Natural tragedy
- Homelessness
- Victim of theft
- War victims
- Victims of political unrest
- Refugees
- Substance abuse
- On run
- Lost
Some beggars are millionaires. Begging is their business or profession.
Harms of unnecessary begging:
- Donors feel cheated and may stop donating, helping, etc.
- Rightful recipients of the help/donation suffer as they are deprived of the much-needed help.
- Beggar may develop a guilt of lying as he has to keeps two identities. He may become inactive/lethargic and may end up in jail.
Some solutions:
- Give them work
- Rehabilitate them
- Show them homeless shelters
- Educate them about their rights.
- Provide legal help
- Arrange help for food, clothing, medicines, health care, money, schooling, etc.
- Show them foster homes
In Hinduism, it was a common practice for Brahmins to beg for food. However, begging is not the right term for that. It was asking for Bhiksha. People used to ask for Daan from Raja. Asking for Bhiksha, Daan, Vardaan, etc. is different from begging. Here people ask for Daan from the people who can give it and are eligible to give it. On the contrary, in begging, the beggar goes to a public place and asks everyone for help/donation. Usually, they beg for food and money.
Bharti