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E-mailMade Popular Sep 6 2008
Here I am. I have been at the corner for about an hour and half. My stomach’s been grumbling since last night. It stayed quiet for a while thanks to Mrs. Svenson’s stale piece of meat pie. It will soon start to rain and the snow isn’t too far away. That reminds me I must look for cover. 40 years ago when I came to this great city, I was worse off. Being roughed up by locals isn’t anybody’s idea of having fun. Well, I can’t bother to worry about something that happened 4 decades ago. Right now I need shelter. The wind is howling and blowing on my face.
Hey Susan! What are you doing in that corner! Don’t you wanna go get a drink? ‘No I can’t, I would be happier if someone could get me a sandwich. Make it cheese sandwich please. 3 days ago when I ate my last meal, the bread was too dry. How I wish I could taste some fresh milk!’ Susan, you must try the other block. Rich folks walk around there more often, they might get a little generous.
I gotta tear this part of my cap, that will make me look more pathetic. Ol’ Mr. Wallace wouldn’t be too happy if I went back to the den with only a couple of coins. Must I try tearing my jeans more and reveal some skin? But that would chill my bones at night. No thank you. I shall instead rub some mud on my face and look little dirtier. Now is this pathetic enough? I guess it is. He he, it is funny when people go ‘tsk tsk’ and drop a coin or two on my face.
The lice in my pubes are too much to handle. I have scratched enough to get my privates bleed. Wonder why the lice become more active at night. And I smell so bad; the cops always chase me after kicking me awake by the pavement. I have to save my ass or I’ll bleed more. Run. Run. Run. I ran enough today, let me see where I could get some sleep, probably on that old bridge where no one goes? The stench is a little funny, but what the hell, it is all right.
Next time I see a well-fed pig, I shall hunt him/her down and grab all that they have when they walk by this alley. It infuriates me to see them well-fed and loaded wallets while I stay here, by the dustbin and rummage through the garbage. That loaded wallet must keep my stomach filled for a week or two.
The buns at the Royal Bakery are so fresh. I can smell them from here, I can’t stop myself. I grab a couple and walk away. Good he didn’t notice this morning. The last time I was caught, they took me to the station and beat me up black and blue. It still hurts; I can’t run as fast as I could earlier. The vicious cane came right on my ankles. It must have broken a bone or two.
I hate these rats. They nibble at my feet; they probably are hungrier than I am. But I’m not gonna let some frigging rat nibble at my feet and have his stomach filled. Take that, and that. Ugh. The drains are usually warmer than up on the pavement. Only these fat rodents get on my nerves. How I wish I could sleep in a house at night. What would it be like to have a bed? And a blanket?
The homeless have been rehabilitated and we have been providing them with training and jobs. Ok now I’m lying. Many come to the city and stay on; not knowing the future is bleak. We have to either send them packing, which we can’t or get rid of them somehow. The next time the assembly meets; I must ask that geezer of a mayor to put me in the marketing department. This entire stench is unbearable. I need to get rid of this job. If I’m not given a different profile, I’ll consider starting a business. So much for my career in politics. Ugh.
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These people choose to be this way. They are content to be this way. Sometimes, it is a shame when you compare them to physically handicapped people who can make a professional living for themselves.
The thing with social derelicts is that they have gotten used to dole-outs and alms so much so that they have found the streets a comfortable place.
They make themselves derelicts.
The thing with social derelicts is that they have gotten used to dole-outs and alms so much so that they have found the streets a comfortable place.
They make themselves derelicts.
I think a generalization of all the homeless people won’t work. I disagree to the statement that they choose to be that way. Maybe they don’t know another life! The street is their home! They grew up there.. They wouldn’t get any jobs either even if they wanted. Either they are forced by others to beg and steal and stay on the streets or they are plain unlucky to be there. Laziness is , yes another reason for being homeless. Just one of the many reasons.
The city has programs to help them. They can avail of these if they want to. Many social workers approach them for special programs. But the thing is they only want to go to soup kitchens!
You know what? Here in India, there are no clear cut programs for the homeless. They are accepted a a part of the social structure. And there are no soup kitchens here. When it is summer, and the temperature reaches 48 degrees, many homeless die on the streets. When the temperature falls below zero during winter, many homeless die again.
That’s sad...
Yeah...one of the images I had of India back in school was dozens of people sleeping on the streets. It was still called Bombay then, I think.
Do you think that’s because of lack of space or population ballooning?
Yeah...one of the images I had of India back in school was dozens of people sleeping on the streets. It was still called Bombay then, I think.
Do you think that’s because of lack of space or population ballooning?
Lack of space, population boom, migrants, nepotism, corruption and a sick society are enough to make Indian cities a living hell for these slum dwellers. And then you also have the ones that choose to be hobos. But in India, most are poor and homeless by default. They don’t choose to be so.
Well, at least there, you don’t have the Catholic Church breathing down the neck of government and banning artificial contraception. India has a freer hand in controlling population growth.
We don’t have the catholic church but Indians are quite ’catholic’ by nature and view abortions as a sin and continue to get pregnant. Isn’t that why we have such a huge population? People don’t even consider contraceptives as an option. The government actually made valiant efforts to cut down pregnancies, but the people wouldn’t have any of it.
My best guess for those who aren’t in favor of abortion is that they need to see this sad things to justified their lives.
”If I can avoid the streets, anyone can” - this line of thinking is stupi and more, completely ”anti-humanistic”, cause if we can cut the problem from the root - the birth of miserable people - why don’t us?
”If I can avoid the streets, anyone can” - this line of thinking is stupi and more, completely ”anti-humanistic”, cause if we can cut the problem from the root - the birth of miserable people - why don’t us?
Hmm you know what? Many homeless people are there on the streets not because they like it, but they don’t have a place to go to. Most come in search of employment and there is nobody to go back home to.
Of course there would be people who may have a better life if they went back to their provinces, but many homeless people are born in that city, and they die there homeless too. Especially homeless children. And talking about professional hobos, beggary is a profession by itself and it pays well too. However, there are these beggar rings, have you hard about that?
Children are recruited and forced to beg, and sometimes forced to sell flesh and get money back to the ’boss’. He would give them space to sleep at night. many are forced to get in to crime as well. If we want to change our society, this is where we must begin the housecleaning. On the streets.
Of course there would be people who may have a better life if they went back to their provinces, but many homeless people are born in that city, and they die there homeless too. Especially homeless children. And talking about professional hobos, beggary is a profession by itself and it pays well too. However, there are these beggar rings, have you hard about that?
Children are recruited and forced to beg, and sometimes forced to sell flesh and get money back to the ’boss’. He would give them space to sleep at night. many are forced to get in to crime as well. If we want to change our society, this is where we must begin the housecleaning. On the streets.
Oh yes. There are many Oliver Twists and Fagins till this day. And they are more cunning, too.
I have seen hobos who are actually look-outs for either organized robbery syndicates or police surveillance teams! LOL
Much as my heart bleeds for them, they are still an eye sore in the streets.
I have seen hobos who are actually look-outs for either organized robbery syndicates or police surveillance teams! LOL
Much as my heart bleeds for them, they are still an eye sore in the streets.
In order to make our cities more pleasant to our eyes, we need to get these people to stay somewhere and be productive. that comes only with a city corporation that isn’t corrupt, is pro-active to the needs of a large urban community and also, a little large hearted. The only way to get them to stop committing crimes or begging is to provide them with shelter and some job. Menial jobs are aplenty. It just needs some HR policies by the municipal authorities.
One of the past mayors of a city in Metro Manila (Metro Manila is our national capital region that is composed of several cities. One of these cities is Quezon City where I live.), banned the giving of alms to street beggars, street children, and hobos. He issued a city ordinance against this. He put up huge billboards on the highways to remind people of this.
But along with it, he pumped up the Department of Social Welfare and Development. He has street children gathered and brought to welfare centers.
Now, those street punks are all in school and living a more comfortable life. And the city streets are free of these kids.
But along with it, he pumped up the Department of Social Welfare and Development. He has street children gathered and brought to welfare centers.
Now, those street punks are all in school and living a more comfortable life. And the city streets are free of these kids.
It is really interesting to know that Philippines being a third world country itself, has programs for the homeless and an efficient mayor in the past. Mayors in Indian cities are busy filling their bank accounts with millions. Begging is not only allowed here, but the police rob the beggars and steal what they have earned. How do you like it?
Hehe...
Well. there’s still something like that here, in the other cities. The policemen are the handlers of street kid beggars. It’s not that they mulct from these kids. These kids turn-over their ’earnings’ to these corrupt cops!
But a revamp of the Philippine National Police has been eliminating more and more these scalawags-in-uniform.
Yeah. Many social ills here continue to be solved by the partnership between government and civil society. Civil society is very strong in the Philippines.
Well. there’s still something like that here, in the other cities. The policemen are the handlers of street kid beggars. It’s not that they mulct from these kids. These kids turn-over their ’earnings’ to these corrupt cops!
But a revamp of the Philippine National Police has been eliminating more and more these scalawags-in-uniform.
Yeah. Many social ills here continue to be solved by the partnership between government and civil society. Civil society is very strong in the Philippines.
The police in India must be the most corrupt, inefficient and criminal in the whole wide world. They rob street vendors, rape children and under trials, beat up under trails and murder homeless people. It is not funny, they are worse off than the secret police of communist countries.
Social derelicts have a culture of complacence and hanging on to dole-outs and alms (which they are pretty sure to have since they hang out on busy streets). They make begging their life. I don’t see them as helpless people. They can help themselves if they want to. There are mechanisms by the government that can help them get back to their former selves. They can avail of these of they want to.
But the thing is they don’t want to!
What they want is an easy life where they can get alms day in and day out, from the streets.
They thrive on people’s pity and sympathy.
The only way to stop them is to stop the flow of pity and sympathy for them.
But the thing is they don’t want to!
What they want is an easy life where they can get alms day in and day out, from the streets.
They thrive on people’s pity and sympathy.
The only way to stop them is to stop the flow of pity and sympathy for them.
Begging has become a part of the social structure and the society nurtures begging. Society allows the homeless to perish or continue being homeless. There is no way out here. The NGOs are doing what they can, but there are no funds and the governments are busy signing deals with investors and nuke guys.
Oh, God. That’s a dilemma there. Because international NGOs will prioritize poorer countries, and India is seen as an emerging economy that is able to hold its own.
India being an emerging country must be the biggest joke. India is an under developed country and not a developing country. The developing part of it is limited to the urban centers of National Capital Region, Bombay-Poona, Bangalore, Punjab, and few other places. And the places I have listed reek of poverty themselves.
I strike out Bangalore from that list. It is highly under developed an over publicized.
@ Grace and Jai
Begging has taken new hiegts in Bombay.
The latest trend is to semi semi-naked girls aged 7-8 to the cars on the Lokandwala signal and ask the motorists for alms soaking in the rains, pretending to shiver. Once they head for the shelter, her family members rush to cover her and keep her warm.
another innovative lady smeared a red bandage on her infant child’s head to gain sympathy.
the best of Jai, most of the so-called slum dwellers here belong to Bangladesh.
Begging has taken new hiegts in Bombay.
The latest trend is to semi semi-naked girls aged 7-8 to the cars on the Lokandwala signal and ask the motorists for alms soaking in the rains, pretending to shiver. Once they head for the shelter, her family members rush to cover her and keep her warm.
another innovative lady smeared a red bandage on her infant child’s head to gain sympathy.
the best of Jai, most of the so-called slum dwellers here belong to Bangladesh.
Radhika, you have noted it correctly about the innovative techniques that beggars use to attract people and force them to give away alms. A certain amount of drama is always involved in begging. That is why I stated the example of the boy tearing his cap to look poorer.
And coming to Bangladeshis, our borders are so porous and not well guarded.. The Bangladeshis walk towards India because they need to escape a host of problems in their own country. But we don’t have place for ourselves do we? The borders need to be closed or at least monitored.
And coming to Bangladeshis, our borders are so porous and not well guarded.. The Bangladeshis walk towards India because they need to escape a host of problems in their own country. But we don’t have place for ourselves do we? The borders need to be closed or at least monitored.
I agree with you, Jaidude. A better management can decrease the number of ”problems” that keep coming to our countries.
I’m not saying that they must die on their countries, but while their government continues to export misery and poverty, what our government should do? Giving them federal resources?
I’m not saying that they must die on their countries, but while their government continues to export misery and poverty, what our government should do? Giving them federal resources?
Bombay (I still prefer calling it Bombay) has a total metropolitan population of more than 20 million. And 60% of them live in slums. In a city like Bombay, tehre is a huge need for space. Space to build more luxurious apartments and swanky malls.
In such a situation, these slums are seen as a menace and overnight builders set slums on fire, and the police are paid off. If that doesn’t work, police evict all the slum dwellers an confiscate land and give them to builders. The ones that were evicted are rendered homeless. They can’t go out of Bombay because it is their city too!
Delhi is the same as well and it is either too hot or too cold in Delhi. So most homeless die during winters and summers. In fact, it is a common sight to see corpses in railway stations.. They would have frozen at night.
In such a situation, these slums are seen as a menace and overnight builders set slums on fire, and the police are paid off. If that doesn’t work, police evict all the slum dwellers an confiscate land and give them to builders. The ones that were evicted are rendered homeless. They can’t go out of Bombay because it is their city too!
Delhi is the same as well and it is either too hot or too cold in Delhi. So most homeless die during winters and summers. In fact, it is a common sight to see corpses in railway stations.. They would have frozen at night.
It is incumbent upon the government (national and local) to solve these problems. I mean, it won’t be sustainable in the long run, anyway, if these basic social ills aren’t addressed.
But that will take tremendous political will - consistently.
But that will take tremendous political will - consistently.
The tremendous political will that you are talking about is non-existent. If it existed even in a microscopic manner, India would have been a better place to live. The ’India Shining’ and other campaigns were just to attract investors and fool the citizens that India is really developing. It isn’t. Hundreds have been dying in floods and it is not even an issue here. It is like ’Hey that is fine, it is usual’ and people die out of starvation everyday. And nobody has a house. Not even the villagers. These are the bonded labourers, a euphemism for the worst kind of slavery that has ever existed. And no, they dunno what having a roof above their heads means.
Jai what u r talking abt is the late 80’s or 90’s when this used to happen.
Do u know what d scene is now?
These very slum dwellers are given rehabilitation apartments, which they sell off or put tenants in and go back to the slums. Many also prefer to live in the slums becoz electricity is free, water is free although they put AC in the shanty, they have Dish or TATA Sky in the house, they don’t want to shift out becoz cost of living in them is cheaper. they earn enough money to live easily in the MAHADA flats constructed for them
Its a big racket as far as the MAHADA flats are concerned.
This doesn’t mean that I am insensitive to the thought u r trying to express here. I totally empathize with the homeless and the poor. but just wanted to give u a reality check on the Bombay slum scene.
Do u know what d scene is now?
These very slum dwellers are given rehabilitation apartments, which they sell off or put tenants in and go back to the slums. Many also prefer to live in the slums becoz electricity is free, water is free although they put AC in the shanty, they have Dish or TATA Sky in the house, they don’t want to shift out becoz cost of living in them is cheaper. they earn enough money to live easily in the MAHADA flats constructed for them
Its a big racket as far as the MAHADA flats are concerned.
This doesn’t mean that I am insensitive to the thought u r trying to express here. I totally empathize with the homeless and the poor. but just wanted to give u a reality check on the Bombay slum scene.
Radhika, you are quite right when you it happened in the 80s and 90s. But not much has changed since then.. The slum dwellers are still exploited by builders and authorities and other slum dwellers themselves. It is true that some choose not to stay in the flats but the rehabilitation of slum dwellers is not happening the way it should. If it were, we wouldn’t see slums at all.
If the government provides flats to them, the government also must force them to stay there no matter what. But it won’t do that. I knew a certain person who sold the flats you are talking about to richer people and avoided slum dwellers from occupying the flats. The situation is really complicated. There is no sense of responsibility either from the authorities nor an effective plan to get rid of homelessness.
If the government provides flats to them, the government also must force them to stay there no matter what. But it won’t do that. I knew a certain person who sold the flats you are talking about to richer people and avoided slum dwellers from occupying the flats. The situation is really complicated. There is no sense of responsibility either from the authorities nor an effective plan to get rid of homelessness.
Hey Jaiyant!
Congrats for coming up with this post. You are trying to throw some light on life that is plunged in complete darkness. Homeless people are the darkest side of ’India Shining. Almost all metros have them.
Here on the streets of Kolkata I even see families with children living out in open makeshift home on footpath or some cosy corner of the street. One family lives right in front walls of a catholic home for the aged.
Domnique Lappiere’s ’City of Joy’ infuriated local Calcuttans. But even today slums and destitutes still thrive here. Mother Teresa made a life out of giving shelter to the homeless and destitutes but their influx is neverending. I often wonder if they have a waiting list for these cosy corners on the streets. One family leaves and within 24 hours another shifts there...
Most people prefer places under bridges or flyovers. Their life can give excellent lessons on ’How much does a man need to survive on this planet?’, ’How to survive through all illnesses that too without medicine, blankets and food?’, ’Who says hygiene is important?’, ’Who says a home should have walls and roof?’ and ’how to die silently?’
I continue to be intrigued by their life and lifestyle. I think they are a slap on my face, on face of all modernity and progress and face of humanity.
I feel they are seen more as a part of urban landscape and not a part of humanity by decision-makers and policy makers of our great country. They thus continue living a life on the other dark side of the street...
Congrats for coming up with this post. You are trying to throw some light on life that is plunged in complete darkness. Homeless people are the darkest side of ’India Shining. Almost all metros have them.
Here on the streets of Kolkata I even see families with children living out in open makeshift home on footpath or some cosy corner of the street. One family lives right in front walls of a catholic home for the aged.
Domnique Lappiere’s ’City of Joy’ infuriated local Calcuttans. But even today slums and destitutes still thrive here. Mother Teresa made a life out of giving shelter to the homeless and destitutes but their influx is neverending. I often wonder if they have a waiting list for these cosy corners on the streets. One family leaves and within 24 hours another shifts there...
Most people prefer places under bridges or flyovers. Their life can give excellent lessons on ’How much does a man need to survive on this planet?’, ’How to survive through all illnesses that too without medicine, blankets and food?’, ’Who says hygiene is important?’, ’Who says a home should have walls and roof?’ and ’how to die silently?’
I continue to be intrigued by their life and lifestyle. I think they are a slap on my face, on face of all modernity and progress and face of humanity.
I feel they are seen more as a part of urban landscape and not a part of humanity by decision-makers and policy makers of our great country. They thus continue living a life on the other dark side of the street...
Hello Madhuri! Thanks for the comment... I know, it is like a reminder to the fact that India really is a poor country with people who subsist below the poverty line. It is just that nobody wants to acknowledge their presence. Shutting one’s eyes to their existence won’t make them disappear or vanish. They will continue to stay, unless the society and authorities decide to do something. The lessons that you are talking about is a shameful one, one that teaches us how inefficient our welfare programs are, if at all there are any. It is easy to argue that they are homeless because they choose to be, but we as a society can’t let them stay homeless too! We are breeding violence, crime, prostitution and disease on our streets.
Radhika and Madhuri, your words make me cry. The details that you bring forward are so much like what we have here...
Grace what u read here is indeed true, but somewhere down the line, the destitute are themselves also responsible for their situations. When schemes are lofted, they do not take advantage of it, instead short sell it to the middle men and brokers.
One interesting point to note in Bombay is that u will never come across a Parsi Beggar. Maybe we should take a point or two from this community that looks after their kin in a very organized fashion. The Parsi Panchayat has its own housing schemes and give the flats to Parsi people. They run a general hospital that takes care of the medical needs of the poorest to poorest Parsi.
One interesting point to note in Bombay is that u will never come across a Parsi Beggar. Maybe we should take a point or two from this community that looks after their kin in a very organized fashion. The Parsi Panchayat has its own housing schemes and give the flats to Parsi people. They run a general hospital that takes care of the medical needs of the poorest to poorest Parsi.
You are so right there, Radhika. In my earlier comments here, I said that beggars and destitutes choose to be the way they are because (1) it’s convenient and (2) it’s beneficial to them.
You mentioned derelicts who are given housing spaces but sell them to brokers. We have a lot of those over here. Here, they’re called ’professional squatters.’
Even poverty is run by syndicates!
You mentioned derelicts who are given housing spaces but sell them to brokers. We have a lot of those over here. Here, they’re called ’professional squatters.’
Even poverty is run by syndicates!
Radhika and Grace, very few homeless people choose to stay homeless. Even when they do, it becomes the urban authorities’ responsibility to make sure they don’t stay on the streets. Either ways, homelessness is a situation that needs to be attacked in order to improve the quality of life.. The parsi example is a great one! It only shows what a community can do if it wishes to improve quality of life! But the other communities are busy fighting over mosques and temples and churches.
Well, here in Brazil we find a way to deal with beggars. It’s very simple, though I really disagree.
”Burn them” seems to be the order to many nazi gangs in Rio and Sao Paulo.
”Burn them” seems to be the order to many nazi gangs in Rio and Sao Paulo.
Why generalize!
I have no doubt there are plenty of homeless who are pathetic and deserve every bit of our sympathy. And then there are those who have chosen to live so and do not grudge anybody anything.
The point is that if we have a social and economic setup that encourages (or leads to) so called ladders then there are bound to be those who are stuck on the lowest rung. To say that state is responsible for the same is turning away from realities. High time people realize it is survival of the fittest and treat life as such. You don’t/ can’t make efforts to move up, you better stay down.
I have no doubt there are plenty of homeless who are pathetic and deserve every bit of our sympathy. And then there are those who have chosen to live so and do not grudge anybody anything.
The point is that if we have a social and economic setup that encourages (or leads to) so called ladders then there are bound to be those who are stuck on the lowest rung. To say that state is responsible for the same is turning away from realities. High time people realize it is survival of the fittest and treat life as such. You don’t/ can’t make efforts to move up, you better stay down.
Yes Gagan, we can’t generalize. There are people who don’t wish to stay on the streets but do not have a choice. And the article I wrote is about both kinds. The point I’m trying to make is, whether they like to stay on the streets or they don’t, it becomes our responsibility to get rid of homelessness, because that is where crime, filth, disease, begging, addictions etc are nurtured. The more homeless we have in our cities, the less safe our cities are, for them and for us.
Again you generalize. I mean begging yes, disease, of course. But Crime is a phenomenon that transcends class and economic barriers. Take a look at what happened in Parliament. That was possibly the worst crime hat you’d have seen in a while and MPs can hardly be called homeless.
Then again drug addiction (if that is what you meant) is again something that’s witnessed regardless of the status.
Then again drug addiction (if that is what you meant) is again something that’s witnessed regardless of the status.
Homelessness, whether by choice or otherwise, is something that’ll never be gotten rid off. Unless we become a completely Welfare Society (in practice) things will stay the way they are.
The point is that resources needed to cure homelessness completely are so huge that we will never be able to muster them.
The point is that resources needed to cure homelessness completely are so huge that we will never be able to muster them.
Hey, was not here sorry. I guess I’m generalizing to the point where I see that homelessness can and does cause a lot of misery to the homeless. They wouldn’t have access to healthcare, education or even employement. Crime can of course exist in all the classes, rich or poor. The homeless are especially prone to crime and alcoholism, and this I say because we have to tackle social problems at the grass roots level and not with the MPs. MPs will always remain criminal even when we have a better society. If a homeless person is addicted to drugs, he would definitely not do the ones that are used by the rich. He wouldn’t be abusing cocaine or LSD but gum, ethanol, whitener and industrial substances. And now that is more lethal.. They don’t have access to information in the first place.
The question here is not about generalization but analysing the problems that a homeless person can go through. As Grace had pointed out earlier, many take to alcoholism even with the money they earn. The alienation that the society causes to them is enough to cause dissent. That dissent could be expressed though crime, alcoholism or even just apathy and sitting in empty park benches.
I’m glad you brought the welfare society part. A welfare society/government can exist only when the rest of us are taxed heavily. Will the rest of be willing to pay taxes like they do in the Scandinavian countries? We have a lot of rich people here and they could be definitely taxed more, and there would be less economic disparity in the society. But then that won’t happen..
The question here is not about generalization but analysing the problems that a homeless person can go through. As Grace had pointed out earlier, many take to alcoholism even with the money they earn. The alienation that the society causes to them is enough to cause dissent. That dissent could be expressed though crime, alcoholism or even just apathy and sitting in empty park benches.
I’m glad you brought the welfare society part. A welfare society/government can exist only when the rest of us are taxed heavily. Will the rest of be willing to pay taxes like they do in the Scandinavian countries? We have a lot of rich people here and they could be definitely taxed more, and there would be less economic disparity in the society. But then that won’t happen..
Wow, Jaiyant. Your post made me think of all those people we have pretended not to notice for so very long that we truly don’t notice them anymore. Perhaps they choose to live that way or perhaps they have no other way, but no human should be allowed to live like this. They deserve much better.
Your post was so creepy it is making me scratch myself. And now that I’ve said two lines and feigned concern, I can go make myself a cheese sandwich. Nya nya nana nya, Susan!
Your post was so creepy it is making me scratch myself. And now that I’ve said two lines and feigned concern, I can go make myself a cheese sandwich. Nya nya nana nya, Susan!
The fear to become homeless and the hunger for food in my stomach drives me to work against all odds.
How I wish that fear was instilled in every poor child by his/her parents.. That way, homelessness would be seen as something undesirable. But then, we have hundreds of thousands of orphans and destitute people.. So, it is a complicated situation, really.
Hi Jaiyamt, another brilliant and well written article.
In Bombay (even I like to still call it this) poor are also of different levels. There are poor living in slums but all people living in slums are not poor. To give you an example, the bai who works at my place also works in about 4/5 houses and makes about 4000 to 5000 every month. Her husband works in a plastic firm and makes about 4000. Her son works as a peon and makes about 3500. Her daughter works in a plastic company and makes about 3000 (and studies too). So in all their household income is about 15000/- and they live in slum.... are they poor? don’t they have enough to eat? not at all.
Than there are those who live on roads and beg... they seem the most poor but they are also the most enterprising and the most innovative to make the most by gaining sympathy. I seriously doubt if all of them are really poor. Does that mean there are no poor in Bombay? Of course there are, but not all poor we see are really poor, if you know what I mean.
In Bombay (even I like to still call it this) poor are also of different levels. There are poor living in slums but all people living in slums are not poor. To give you an example, the bai who works at my place also works in about 4/5 houses and makes about 4000 to 5000 every month. Her husband works in a plastic firm and makes about 4000. Her son works as a peon and makes about 3500. Her daughter works in a plastic company and makes about 3000 (and studies too). So in all their household income is about 15000/- and they live in slum.... are they poor? don’t they have enough to eat? not at all.
Than there are those who live on roads and beg... they seem the most poor but they are also the most enterprising and the most innovative to make the most by gaining sympathy. I seriously doubt if all of them are really poor. Does that mean there are no poor in Bombay? Of course there are, but not all poor we see are really poor, if you know what I mean.
Yr very right Manish, there are different kinds of poor. Here I’m concerned with the kind of poor that don’t have a roof above their heads. The ones that roam around the streets at night and sleep in a corner. The ones that salvage food from the dustbins and the ones that turn to crime when hope becomes too oppressive.. There are many like this in Bombay aren’t there? The ones that get driven out of slums or get evicted find solace on the pavements.. Lucky are the ones who have a roof, even if it means it is in a slum..
hi Jaiyant, sorry for replying so late. Actually I just jotted down the thoughts that I was getting after reading the post so it may seem a bit out of the topic. What I was pondering was how many are real homeless drifters in Bombay? I am sure there are MANY but the ones that I have seen are mostly drug addicts who wander about in streets and many others are as I have mentioned in my earlier comment... Just a status check on genuinely poor and homeless, who really needs help.
Manish, you have asked a very important question. The exact number, I’m not sure. The numbers are conflicting.. Here is something I found on the net:
http://www.deeshaa.org/2005/02/09/homelessness-in-mumbai/
Also, drug addiction is a symptom of homelessness and most of them do drugs that don’t come under traditional drugs. they would be doing gum, paint and industrial cleaners. Again, we can’t generalize how many are addicts.. But most are vulnerable to addiction or at least experimenting.
http://www.deeshaa.org/2005/02/09/homelessness-in-mumbai/
Also, drug addiction is a symptom of homelessness and most of them do drugs that don’t come under traditional drugs. they would be doing gum, paint and industrial cleaners. Again, we can’t generalize how many are addicts.. But most are vulnerable to addiction or at least experimenting.
I would say’other side[type] of life’.God,at least some ’human’ think and write about them.
Thanks for dropping by Vijay.. It really is disturbing isn’t it? Homelessness is either an eyesore or makes us feel sorry for them.. Either ways, it is not a pleasant situation. So, this calls for a solution and a plan to rehabilitate the homeless, whether they want to be on the streets or they don’t, it doesn’t matter.
Whenever a beggar comes to me I’m in a dilemma regarding the decision to give them a rupee or two. I feel that by giving I’m encouraging them (especially small children) to be useless individuals. But then do they have a choice? Today, when educated youth are unemployed and there is fierce competition everywhere can these guys manage to get employed?
There are different types of beggars. There are the genuine ones and the ones who are lazy to try working hard in some other way. How can we know if a genuine beggar has come to us or not? How are you supposed to handle such a situation? If you are not helping out a person in dire necessity, you are doing something wrong. On the other hand if the person is not a genuine case, you are encouraging a wrong cause. I usually end up giving the money to any beggar who comes my way , but this question keeps lingering in my mind.
There are different types of beggars. There are the genuine ones and the ones who are lazy to try working hard in some other way. How can we know if a genuine beggar has come to us or not? How are you supposed to handle such a situation? If you are not helping out a person in dire necessity, you are doing something wrong. On the other hand if the person is not a genuine case, you are encouraging a wrong cause. I usually end up giving the money to any beggar who comes my way , but this question keeps lingering in my mind.
Hello Leena, Isn’t it unpleasant when we encounter somebody begging? It hurts and scares us, to know that we could have been in that position too, for whatever reason. We just aren’t but that doesn’t change things. I find it hard to turn them away too, especially the really old ones that can’t move and the tiny babies. I prefer giving them dry food though, because that way the money won’t go to some beggar king.
Jaiyant,
Once again we return to the same point that unless there is huge political will and strong people’s initiative to look deeper into issues of destitutes and homeless nothing much is going to change...
Its really sad and unfortunate that weak and poor are forced to fight for survival with strong and rich! It is an unfair and lopsided world...I sometimes wonder does Nature too conspire against the poor? Or its master conspiracy of we human beings to eliminate the poor? I don’t know...the more deeper I look the lesser I understand...
Once again we return to the same point that unless there is huge political will and strong people’s initiative to look deeper into issues of destitutes and homeless nothing much is going to change...
Its really sad and unfortunate that weak and poor are forced to fight for survival with strong and rich! It is an unfair and lopsided world...I sometimes wonder does Nature too conspire against the poor? Or its master conspiracy of we human beings to eliminate the poor? I don’t know...the more deeper I look the lesser I understand...
Yes Madhuri.. It is a very unfair and unjust world. And everyone here is a victim. Every victim victimizes the other. Everyone is a perpetrator. The weak and the poor victimize the weaker and the poorer. The child grows up and bullies the younger one. And life still goes on...
Very nice article. Rich stuff!
And now I curse myself to be well off. I miss not being a part of the plot, and not being able to relate to your story.
Too good man! Keep it up.
AND TRY TO GIVE MANY MORE GEMS LIKE THIS.
And now I curse myself to be well off. I miss not being a part of the plot, and not being able to relate to your story.
Too good man! Keep it up.
AND TRY TO GIVE MANY MORE GEMS LIKE THIS.
Hey Aneez.. Thanks and don’t curse yourself. There are people richer than us and we are dirt poor compared to them. As I said earlier, the hierarchy sucks and the ones at the top have to step on the heads of the ones below them. The ones at the bottom take all the weight.
PS: More GEMS on the way.. He he
PS: More GEMS on the way.. He he
It is good that someone or the other keeps writing about the plight of the needy every now and then. But yet, the problem is that no one bothers to care about such people in practical and the ones who can bring about a change are sleeping with cotton buds in the ears. Such people do not even have their names enrolled on the electoral list so can’t even cast a vote. When would the world change?
It is good that someone or the other keeps writing about the plight of the needy every now and then. But yet, the problem is that no one bothers to care about such people in practical and the ones who can bring about a change are sleeping with cotton buds in the ears. Such people do not even have their names enrolled on the electoral list so can’t even cast a vote. When would the world change?
Writing at least helps us be aware of what is happening. Awareness brings a minute chance of some kind of action. Many people have been writing about alcoholism, education, religious menace and insanity.. Things that many of us know very little about. When we discuss at forums like these, it may, it just may help in some way.. Though it is a very humble contribution. Negligible but not nothing.
The fact that the homeless don’t have the right to vote shows the flaws our democracy has. In fact, democracy has failed the homeless.
The fact that the homeless don’t have the right to vote shows the flaws our democracy has. In fact, democracy has failed the homeless.
Hey Jaiyant, reading thru this post got me goose-pimpled all over. Life is indeed nasty for some....like the ones u have mentioned. Even as i pass the streets of Mumbai ( i have got accustomed to this name now), in my cool a/c car, the sight of these homeless, hungry people makes me cringe.
What if I am ripped of my shelter and comforts and destiny drags me to the streets? This thought has been haunting me ever since i grew old enuf to realize the difference.
I too always prefer to buy foodstuff rather than giving money. But u know wht sometimes these homeless beggars want money only. They snarl and curse too at times if offered other things.
What if I am ripped of my shelter and comforts and destiny drags me to the streets? This thought has been haunting me ever since i grew old enuf to realize the difference.
I too always prefer to buy foodstuff rather than giving money. But u know wht sometimes these homeless beggars want money only. They snarl and curse too at times if offered other things.
Hello Deepa, Thanks for reading the article. Yes, Bombay is such a place which is home to millions of homeless people, yet hides the fact that society has somewhere wronger these people. It is easy to say they are responsible for the situation they are in. But ok if they are responsible for the situation they are in, what makes them want them to be in that situation? The answer lies within us. We have ignored them. And they choose to ignore the rest of us, society. They have never been part of the society but only a part of the urban landscape, as Madhuri put it. And don’t worry you won’t be ripped of your shelter or a better life. You have every reader’s good wishes.
Hey Jaiyant, reading thru this post got me goose-pimpled all over. Life is indeed nasty for some....like the ones u have mentioned. Even as i pass the streets of Mumbai ( i have got accustomed to this name now), in my cool a/c car, the sight of these homeless, hungry people makes me cringe.
What if I am ripped of my shelter and comforts and destiny drags me to the streets? This thought has been haunting me ever since i grew old enuf to realize the difference.
I too always prefer to buy foodstuff rather than giving money. But u know wht sometimes these homeless beggars want money only. They snarl and curse too at times if offered other things.
What if I am ripped of my shelter and comforts and destiny drags me to the streets? This thought has been haunting me ever since i grew old enuf to realize the difference.
I too always prefer to buy foodstuff rather than giving money. But u know wht sometimes these homeless beggars want money only. They snarl and curse too at times if offered other things.
Once outside Prithvi Theater, a old fellow, akin to one in the image above, was sitting late at night. Begging obviously. I was carrying some snack packed (over ordered) along in my bag. When i offered him that parcel, he frowned but accepted. An hour later, when i walked out, he was still there and my parcel (untouched) was left in another corner. Showing no signs of gratitude, this chap even refused to have an eye contact with me. LOL I was fuming with anger.
Maybe he didn’t like the way it smelled? Lol.. That guy must have been a really choosy beggar. And we come to the old saying ’beggars can’t be choosers’. But they do. They choose too. I guess, as you said, they expect money than material. But then you never know where the money is going.
Something similar happened with us too. We friends had gone out for dinner and had packed some leftover to give to bagger and when my friend went to give it, the bagger refused to take it! He said ” nahi cha hi ye, tum le lo”!!! Looks like baggers in Bombay (or Mumbai) do have choice.
Hey Manish, I think we just assume beggars will take what we throw on their faces. Even I have faced these situations. There was a time when they used to accept coins, now they don’t anymore.. They throw the coins back at my face. SO I stick to bananas and buns
Let me stop commenting the comments and comment the article!
As far as I know, this problem will remain unsolved for a long time, the only thing we can do is to try to give for all this people a little more dignity. But be sure they will never have a dignity full status.
What cause this beggar problem is a series of problems that no country in the world can deal with (maybe there are some exceptions, like Norway and others ”viking” countries).
The overpopulation, cities crowded and lack of effective contraceptive methods to control birth are some of the obstacles that make this job impossible to be done the way should it be.
But, then again, we must remember that this thing persists since the Roman Emperor (at least this is how far I was able to identified this situation, maybe is is older than that). And, besides, while poverty and misery remain having a social function, there never will be a solution, cause will be seen as part of society.
PS: nice touch the use of first person on your chronicle.
As far as I know, this problem will remain unsolved for a long time, the only thing we can do is to try to give for all this people a little more dignity. But be sure they will never have a dignity full status.
What cause this beggar problem is a series of problems that no country in the world can deal with (maybe there are some exceptions, like Norway and others ”viking” countries).
The overpopulation, cities crowded and lack of effective contraceptive methods to control birth are some of the obstacles that make this job impossible to be done the way should it be.
But, then again, we must remember that this thing persists since the Roman Emperor (at least this is how far I was able to identified this situation, maybe is is older than that). And, besides, while poverty and misery remain having a social function, there never will be a solution, cause will be seen as part of society.
PS: nice touch the use of first person on your chronicle.
I just thought that i should share this with you Jay,beggars in The Arabian countries have booked themselves into five star hotels, just for this month of Ramadan!
So much so for sleeping on the footpaths!
So much so for sleeping on the footpaths!
Hi Jaiyant…I do agree with you and Deepa when you seem to imply that food is a better option in comparison to money for giving to beggars. But I also agree with you guys when you say that nothing makes them happier than money. Besides, is it possible for you to go out prepared with food, anticipating an encounter with a beggar?
Another point Jaiyant, I do agree that for most of us the thought of loosing our comforts can be nightmarish. But a few days ago, I read about an Indian crorepati who prefers to stay in a hut. Sometimes, I aspire to be like these people, who acclimatize themselves to any situation. But I know developing that kind of a physical and mental makeup can be quite difficult for me.
Another point Jaiyant, I do agree that for most of us the thought of loosing our comforts can be nightmarish. But a few days ago, I read about an Indian crorepati who prefers to stay in a hut. Sometimes, I aspire to be like these people, who acclimatize themselves to any situation. But I know developing that kind of a physical and mental makeup can be quite difficult for me.
Hi Leena, insecurities haunt many of us regarding our comfortable lifestyles. But if someone is a millionare and still lives in a hut then he seems to have a saint’s soul.
Accepting a situation and living accordingly happily is one thing but renouncing all and living like a saint is one-in-millions kind.
Accepting a situation and living accordingly happily is one thing but renouncing all and living like a saint is one-in-millions kind.
And this is one of the most realistic things I’ve read in a while.
Congratulations!
Many definitions of the ’rat,’ really. But all of them have the common characteristic of creeping low, sneaking up, and moving around the stench. We see them on the streets, in the trash can, in business, and in government. All have the common characteristics.
And yeah, in one way the ’rat’ is a symbol of the system that is eating up the humanity and society would be the drain.
But you know what? In many cases, these derelicts had chosen to lead the path that brought them their condition.
These people choose to congest themselves in cities, when they can perhaps have the chance to just go back to their provinces and live a more decent life.
There are also street denizens that are professional hobos, meaning that they do it for a living to scrounge in garbage cans or beg for alms.
Some of them have nasty vices. With the coins they ’earn,’ they go straight to lottery betting stations or get bottles of liquor.
I know it can be horrible to think that this thing is useful to our societies, but they are.