1. SPARK-12

2. By Wajid Sharath Noel

3. Introduction With the poverty and unemployment the problem of beggary is a social problem of great magnitude and grave concern in developing countries. BEGGARY is a symptom of social disorganisation Begging is a problem for society, large number of beggars means non utilization of available human resources

4. Causes Loss of agricultural land Unemployment Poverty Disabled physically or mentally Old aged Orphans

5. Mental traits 39% of the beggars suffer from psychiatric illness. Nearly 74% of them had a history of addiction Psychiatric illness in the family and poor attitude of family members towards them. Over 68% admitted to feeling of shame and losing self- esteem, 25% to guilt, 4% to suicidal tendencies and 8% to anti-social activities.

6. A MENACE TO PUBLIC They are a serious nuisance to the people It is annoying to be bothered by beggars when you are in a hurry Spreading of various infections They don’t have health significance Communicable diseases

7. Survey More than 66% beggars are able -bodied. Survey reveals that begging as a livelihood wins over casual labour. For 96% the average daily income is Rs 120 Beggars spend Rs 50-100 a day.

8. Survey Beggars are unwilling to take up honest labour. Nearly 26% in survey claimed they were happy. 81% claimed that they do not face any problem during begging. 15% mentioned humiliation from public and police. The majority of beggars see it as a profitable and viable profession

9. TACKLING OF THE PROBLEM Right-minded people are needed for a systematic handling of the beggar problem Govt. and civic administrations should make a serious effort. Enactment of Proper Legislation & Pre-requisite. Maintaining proper beggar homes Empowering police to arrest able-bodied.

10. Difficulties in tackling India's beggary laws are a throwback to the centuries. There is no proper enumeration of beggars in the country. The beggars who have spent years on the street find it very difficult to live in confined space. The government run beggar homes are worse than the third rate jails.

11. Solution Social responsibility to prevent poverty If begging in public streets could be reduced, the nuisance would be tolerable Charity to social work Changing our attitude towards them Voluntary organizations and communities

12. Conclusion With the nation aspiring to achieve world standards in every field socio-economic measures are needed to curb the begging problem in India by implementing comprehensive programme and reorientation of the existing programmes.