Dear Editor, Through the columns of your esteemed daily I would like to highlight this social evil in a few lines. It seems that all the beggars, be it able-bodied males or females or even so many groups of small children are professionally habitual of begging and by way of this beggary, they have become addicted to so many intoxicant drugs. One gets moved by their oily behaviour of innocence and gives them alms. They often chase the cars without fearing any accident. One of the reasons why we have so many beggars in our country, especially in Jammu UT, is that we being Hindus, still have a tradition of holy-men living on charity. Now, not all are Sadhus, but some Babas in the guise of Sadhus have adopted this easy way of earning, thereby leading a comfortable life. Our modern society considering them as holy-men gives charity, but they are not holy ones now. Centuries ago, this might have had some relevance, but in the changed circumstances, these men being able-bodied should be made to work instead of proving them charity. Instead of depending on others for an easy living, they can contribute to the good of society. The case of blind, lame or infirm persons is different. Even among these, there are some who could be trained to do useful work and remain from begging. Begging is a social evil and it should be eradicated. For the really needy ones, special homes should be opened while rest should be trained in some skills or useful work or trade. If people want to prescribe charity or alms to them, they should be persuaded to contribute towards running homes for beggars and reform houses. The people and the government should work together to remove beggary, as it is not possible without help of each other. By this way we could be able to remove the bad habit of begging, as Jammu city is becoming a hub of beggars day by day. It is further requested to responsible officers that effective steps to check this social evil of begging may kindly be taken, effectively on ground level. Last but not the least, Jammu city is a sensitive district area bordering along Pakistan. These so- called beggars in guise of Sadhus could be enticed by the bad elements any-time and misused by terrorists in carrying out anti-national activities. As such, there is a dire need to keep a check on this free flow of begging with an iron hand. Tara Chand Bhagat Talab Tillo, Jammu.
