The problem of beggary is too common to be discussed i feel. Every one of us would have at least thought about it, either when our peace of mind after coming out of a temple session is disturbed by them or when they hover around in trains and traffic signals.
Yes it feels sickening to know that there are people out there who are so much in need of help. The way they ask for things just appeals to your human side. You feel that there does not exist anything else worth so much attention.
But how many times? You find that person sitting at the same place everyday. Asking and screaming blatantly. The newspapers further overwhelm you with information that they earn 30 grand per month and then you think is it really worth all your attention?
The professionalization of beggary has started eroding our humane instincts. It is true. But the question is, should we surrender to their exploitation of our weaker and softer side or hold a strong stand and ignore them so that some day they realize that this isn't going to work. That might prick our conscience a bit because we might be ignoring the ones in actual need. But something needs to be done before our entire race becomes blind to actual misery because of the ones faking it.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Are we going to lose it?
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3 comments:
I can absolutely relate to your dilemma here. I have myself had mixed thoughts about beggars very many times. I am still stuck between evaluating whether giving a beggar alms is encouraging his trade or helping mankind. Some of us give alms just to satisfy our emotional egos. Anyhow, I believe in the old Chinese proverb which goes something like this - Give a man a fish and he'll have a meal for once. Teach a man to fish and he'll never go hungry. So I believe charity must be directed towards organisations that help people make livelihoods rather than beggars on the roadside.
I agree.
Otherwise scenes like those in Slumdog Millionaire will become commonplace. I still don't have the guts to watch them... (I'd turned away when it was happening on screen)
@ Anupam
I feel the same and I am more motivated to help organisations because of another reason. The beggars these days throw what u give them on your faces. :|
@Vikram
Thats y the movie was given Oscars and so on. People outside India like to see us that way. Helpless and needy.
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