Summary
Dave and I have a hard and fast rule when traveling. We rarely give money to beggars. However, the sheer amount of beggars in India can feel overwhelming. How can you, as a traveler, ignore it? How can a person not give to a man that is crawling on the ground because his legs are paralyzed, or give to an old man with a deformed foot limping through the streets?
How can we overlook a blind man singing on a train? Or a child carrying a baby, searching for food? We didn’t give to many of these individuals, and I often find myself regretting my actions.
This article was originally written in 2010 and has not been updated. We do not know if this is still the case in India 13 years later.
Things to Know About Begging in India
Unfortunately, much of the begging in India is controlled by organized crime. When you offer money to beggars in India, you can’t be sure if you are providing genuine help or simply supporting a criminal network.
Watching “Slumdog Millionaire” reinforced what we witnessed in India. Children are exploited for profit, and when you give to them because you feel sympathy, you might just be enriching those who are controlling their lives.
Poverty remains pervasive in India, which is heartbreaking and overwhelming. It’s estimated there are around 500,000 beggars in India, with approximately 300,000 of them being children coerced into begging.
Beggars in India and the Guilt of Travel
Typically, we refrain from giving to beggars while traveling, believing that this only perpetuates a cycle of begging. If tourists continue to hand out money simply because someone asks, how will these individuals find the drive to improve their lives?
I adhered to this rule, yet it often felt like the wrong decision. At times, I found myself in tears, feeling helpless. I struggled to determine whether those asking for money truly needed help or if they were linked to a criminal organization.
Does it Make a Difference to Give Money?
If I donated 50 or 100 rupees to beggars in India, would it genuinely impact their lives, or would it merely serve to ease my own conscience for the day? Conversely, who wouldn’t benefit from a few extra rupees?
This raises a dilemma: is begging a sustainable source of income? These individuals with disabilities may lack other options. Yet, I can’t provide money to everyone in need. It’s not feasible to offer rupees to every suffering person I encounter.
Social Programs in India?
In Canada, beggars can often receive help if they seek it, thanks to social programs and welfare workers available to assist those wanting to improve their circumstances.
- Can they receive help in India? Probably not.
- Are disabled individuals employed here? Highly unlikely.
- For many, begging may be their only income source.
Questions We Ask Ourselves
- What is the best way to help those in need in India?
- What truly works?
- What initiatives become bogged down by red tape?
- Where does the money go?
- Who truly benefits?
I honestly don’t feel compelled to give money to fit individuals, and I do not contribute funds to children.
Some suggest travelers carry pens or candy to distribute to children rather than cash. However, having witnessed the chaos this created in other countries, we choose not to participate in that manner. Children clamored for pens, merely seeking to receive something.
This still constitutes begging, and I refuse to engage in contributing to children who are forced to beg or handing over money, candy, or pens to those who might exploit them. Children should not be begging, and adults should not be giving to them.
Begging Scams in India
During our time in India, we encountered several scams associated with begging. Naturally, there are legitimate beggars in dire need of assistance. Ultimately, the decision to give is personal, and sometimes it is heart-wrenching not to do so. We often believe that donating to charities may be the most effective way to ensure aid reaches those who need it most.
Child with Baby
This particular scenario is distressing. A young girl carries a baby and requests money for milk. They may invite you to a store where you end up purchasing overpriced powdered milk, the proceeds of which are shared with the crime organization involved.
In many cases, the baby is suffering, often rented out and sedated to elicit pity.
Maimed and Disfigured
We observed numerous beggars with severely disfigured limbs and burnt eyes. Seeing this reality was horrifying. How can society allow such cruelty?
Criminal organizations sometimes intentionally blind children and use them to generate income through singing. We did not encounter children on our visit, but we witnessed elderly men who appeared to have been blinded as they sang for coins on trains.
Moreover, some individuals intentionally disfigure themselves to convey their inability to work, fostering a need to beg. However, not everyone displaying disabilities has done so intentionally.
Give to People with Disabilities?
My heart aches when approached by individuals with leprosy or elderly men asking for change. I genuinely feel they may not have other options.
Despite my empathy resulting in tears, it ultimately does not create a solution. I can express sorrow all day long, but it changes nothing for that man with paralyzed legs, who continues to crawl along the rough pavement, dragging his resilient spirit behind him. It is profoundly disheartening.
Give to Charities
The most effective way I can think of to support beggars in India is to donate to reputable charities. Organizations like Save The Children Foundation, Railway Children, and Smile Foundation India are excellent starting points for effective contributions.
Money Going to a Crime Ring
We frequently encountered children requesting money; however, when we offered to buy them food, they declined. This indicated that they needed cash to deliver to their controllers.
With so many beggars in India, knowing where to begin can be challenging. Therefore, it is often best to refrain from giving directly.
If you do decide to contribute, be prepared for potentially being surrounded by other beggars soon after, leading to an overwhelming experience.
We would appreciate your insights on this issue. It’s always an ongoing debate. We welcome your experiences or beliefs regarding giving in such circumstances. It’s a complex question—one that I personally do not have a definitive answer for.
