NEW DELHI: Dileep Kumar, 50, has a remarkable story for someone who survived on alms.
“No one would believe it, but I practiced law for a decade after completing an LLB from Aligarh college affiliated with Dr.
Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra,” Kumar claimed.
“However, my brother, whom I loved and trusted, fool me.
Unable to tolerate this trauma, I handed all my property to him and left the house.
” Kumar said he could not work as a lawyer after leaving the documents at home.
Nearly starving, he began living as itinerant workers in Delhi, often went to Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place to find food.
Kumar, who recently worked 10 days as a wall painter, is very grateful for the turn her life has recently taken.
He is among the 25 beggars who taught painting home in a homeless shelter in Roshanara Road under Delhi government pilot project to rehabilitate the beggars by providing vocational training.
Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan, an NGO, said two months of basic training has been completed and month advance training will start next week.
Apart from skills training, beneficiaries are being counseled to be self-dependent.
In addition, they were given a yoga and spiritual sessions and access to legal aid.
Ramesh Singh arrived in Delhi from her village in Haryana eight years ago dreaming of a better income and a better life.
But he met with the accident immediately makes him employable.
To survive, he started begging.
anguish subsided two months ago when he was escorted from the streets and brought to Roshanara Road.
“At the shelter, I have been taking lessons on polishing wood furniture and house painting,” smiled the 62-year-old players, proud of the fact that he recently hired twice by the contractor and paid Rs 1,000 a day for furniture polish.
“I used to work at a grocery store in my village in Rohtak.
After living as a beggar, I get again.
Living with dignity is better than living on charity.
” Circumstances force him into a beggar, said Sanjay Kumar Kushwaha, at 25 among the youngest in the shelter.
When it came to Delhi from Madhya Pradesh Rewa, bags and belongings were stolen in the train station.
“I went into labor chowk but people are reluctant to give work because I do not have any documents,” said Sanjay.
“To meet the meet, I wander around Hanuman Mandir where I got food as alms and Rs 10-20 a day.” Fortunately for Kushwaha, his coach had him official documents and opening a bank account.
“I also managed to buy a SIM card and contacted my family,” said Kushwaha while painting the walls in the shelter.
25 men now bond with each other.
Kurvinder Singh, 39, said that after the death of her parents and with no one else to support him, he began to beg.
“I have a family now.
My coach also took care of me like my parents would, “he said.
The pilot project was launched after a joint survey by the social welfare department and the Institute of Human Development 20 719 individuals identified as being involved in begging in the city.
Of those, 53% (10 987) were male, 46% (9541) were women and 1% (191) transvestites.
Sanjay Kumar, co-founder and co-director, Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan, said, “We discover people who identified and motivate them to join our vocational training sessions.
Our role is to back them up with life without the stigma.
” Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said, “The government of Delhi believe that every human being has dignity, no matter their status.
Nothing takes the deliberate action beg, just out of helplessness and lack of opportunity.
” He added, “We have established two training centers in Roshanara Bagh for men and women.
People trained in house painting and women in making jams, jellies and pickles.
Delhi government wants to eliminate begging in Delhi through progressive steps.
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