Beggery
Based on our stereotypes, it is hard to believe it, but there is a huge middle class. Somewhere between 150 and 300 million people! (And although it is hard to compare the developing world with the developed world), India has less Income inequality than the US.
Still, it hard to see child and disabled people begging. It is hard to know if it helps to give money or not.
Also, some of the people beg but really are not that poor. For instance, we were going to a place called Amber Fort and there was a lady begging, dressed in rags, sprawled out on the ground. As we approached she beseeched us in Hindi for food. Saying bread (chapatti) and pointing to her mouth. And then her cell phone went off. And she was momentarily silent. And it was a very awkward moment. Awkward for both of us. It has happened to everyone, an important conversation interrupted by the ring.
And so I said, “Do you need to get that?” But she did not understand and perhaps a little like in the theater when someone’s phone goes off but they don’t want to admit it’s theirs, so they just let it ring, she went back to begging.
Still, it hard to see child and disabled people begging. It is hard to know if it helps to give money or not.
Also, some of the people beg but really are not that poor. For instance, we were going to a place called Amber Fort and there was a lady begging, dressed in rags, sprawled out on the ground. As we approached she beseeched us in Hindi for food. Saying bread (chapatti) and pointing to her mouth. And then her cell phone went off. And she was momentarily silent. And it was a very awkward moment. Awkward for both of us. It has happened to everyone, an important conversation interrupted by the ring.
And so I said, “Do you need to get that?” But she did not understand and perhaps a little like in the theater when someone’s phone goes off but they don’t want to admit it’s theirs, so they just let it ring, she went back to begging.
posted by JNA | 3:51 AM
1 Comments:
Yes, beggary is an issue in India. One reason is that India has a huge population and limited resources despite some phenomenal growth seen in last 20 years. India has a solid middle and lower middle class also. However unlike USA it has no welfare, no unemployment insurance and no saftey net. Yes public education is free but other than that nothing else is really free. So one has to work to survive. Even if it means begging. And when the main agenda is to survive for so many then who has time to take care of dogs, cows etc. India has one of the highest usage of cell phones. every one has it. People use SMS to communicate and pay etc.. I love your blog and love to read your point of view. For most of us born and brought up in India some things just pass our awareness or sensitivity zone.
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