Beggars have it easy in Kurnool district

KURNOOL: Beggars have turned a menace in Kurnool district, particularly in temple towns like Srisailam, Ahobilam and Mahanandi. Begging, including by children; has become highly organised. Child begging at Srisalam has already been flagged by National Child Protection Committee, which has made ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) become proactive act. In Kurnool city, beggars have gone to the extent of nagging you in front of restaurants, eateries, temples and wherever else people congregate.

“There is a shift in begging strategies. In cities, they choose traffic signals, hotels, bus stops, or wherever they find people gathering, said Veeranjaneyulu, a retired professor of sociology. Panhandling has become a lucrative work. Even an aged retired private employee can be seen holding a begging bowl near Venkataramana colony, the professor said. Gone are the days when they sought food as alms. Now they just want hard cash, not even coins, as free food is being made available by Kasinayana temples at several places in Kurnool district, he pointed out.

At any time of the day, beggars – old people to children and women to infants, apart from eunuchs; can be found occupying roads in the city seeking money. "Sometimes, it becomes irritating as beggars do not allow you to eat or drink. Even as you start eating, the beggars surround you in hoards seeking mercy. Once you pay one, many others come to you as the successful one informs his or her comrades", said Seshamma, a housewife near Saibaba temple.

Begging has turned into a profession not only for poor, disabled, or injured. It has been picked up as a choice by many because there are no restrictions in the city. B. Gokari, a private employee, said, “It is quite unfortunate that begging is fast turning into a thriving business in the city. But those in power are least bothered about it, despite the prevailing precarious situation in the society.”

G. Venkatesh, a government teacher, said begging has turned a booming business as police and municipal authorities seem reluctant in taking action against them. Beggars have even made life of people miserable by knocking on their doors in the morning itself, he pointed out.

When contacted, traffic DSP Mahaboob Basha said obstructing free flow of traffic near traffic signals is a cause of concern. A cleanup operation will be taken up in coordination with other stakeholders, he stated.

Srisailam temple executive officer K. S. Rama Rao said a drive has been undertaken by the temple administration to free Srisailam from the menace of beggars, particularly children. “We are constantly driving away alms seekers from the front of the temple and junctions in the temple town,” he underlined.