She was begging for money. She is only five. Never been to school. We offered to buy her tea/biscuits. She wont have them. She wanted only money. One of us gave her a fiver, much to my dislike.
What surprised me was her histrionics. She seemed to be extremely well-trained to put up a sorry face when she's going around asking for alms. Just one look at her forlorn face is enough to melt many a heart.
Begging is a crime in some parts of the nation (Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959). Aiding and abetting a crime is crime as well.
Begging is one of the most highly organised activity in the country. We've seen enough of them in popular films like Slumdog Millionaire, Naan Kadavul, et al. This knowledge notwithstanding, most of us get caught in the moment and shell out a rupee or two. It begs(pun unintended) to be understood that most often we give alms not out of compassion, but out of a sheer sense of guilt. The act of giving may appease one's guilt momentarily, but it does nothing to bring about any change in either, let alone a transformation.
msr
PS: I intend to bring out more such little stories behind some of the many hundred photos I clicked on my travels around the country. Keep watching this space.
Good one... the explanation was even better than the photo... What ur saying is right - we need to stop encouraging this, only then some alternative would be embraced...
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Nice one man!!
ReplyDelete@DI: You bet.
ReplyDelete@murthy: thanks :)
Nice one. But I can't really believe people are sensitive enough to feel guilty.
ReplyDeletebegging is definitely not the way, but how many of us are generous enough to support the handicapped/sick?
ReplyDeletei think it's the other way round - give the alternative first and then begging would stop... it will not work the way - stop begging and then find alternative! the whole system should change, only then begging would stop.
ReplyDeletevery true. Most people give money to assuage some temporary guilt.
ReplyDelete