Beggars prefer living on roads to shelter homes

Hyderabad: Many families of beggars prefer to ‘live’ on roads to staying in government-run shelter homes as this way they are ‘assured’ of food, water, earnings and shelter.

Though sceptical, these beggars, who have been living on the roadsides for over three decades now, give their details to authorities, who promise food and shelter, every now and then. They allege that there is no follow-up by any government official.

Some state that they are unaware of whom or which office to approach for help when they are in need of food or money for medical purposes.

Two women, Kamala and Shara, say that they have been living on the road under the Paradise metro station for over 25 years. Each has four kids, who beg on the roads. According to them, they are better-off living on the roads as they get different varieties of food, water, clothes and blankets, thanks to Good Samaritans. In comparison, while at shelter homes for a brief while, they were not even provided adequate food, they said.

Shockingly, that they are not vaccinated against Covid-19. “Some people came and took us to a shelter home in Secunderabad function hall during the first lockdown. There were many others present there. We all were checked for Covid-19 and those who tested positive were shifted to a hospital. We decided to leave the shelter home within a fortnight as we did not get proper food. We used to get sufficient quantities while living on roads,” they said.

It is a slightly different tale when it comes to 60-year-old K. Ramuluamma and her daughter Renuka (35), who have also been living near the Paradise crossroads for over 20 years, including during the lockdown.

Renuka is differently-abled and begs on the road while her mother makes money by selling cigarettes, water bottles, and tobacco on the footpath.  They are vaccinated but were never ever offered accommodation in any shelter home, said Ramulamma. “We were taken somewhere by a few people thrice in the last five years. They took our details. I have not received a single call from anyone.

The same people came and took us for Covid-19 vaccination. They also said that I would get more money as my daughter is differently-abled. However, I have not got a single penny so far,” said Ramulu.

Interestingly, around 150 children who beg on the roads, also ‘prefer’ this lifestyle.

“We like being together. We are all beggars spread across different areas. We meet in the nights and sleep on the footpath near Paradise hotel.  Some rooms are available for cheap rents. Earlier, we all used to sleep there. They are currently occupied. It is like a shift-system. For some months we sleep on the roads. Thereafter, those in the rooms will shift to the roads while we occupy the room,” said the kids who refused to reveal their names.

There are also beggars from other states. Shiva from Karnataka said that he was once taken to a shelter home. He left the place within a few days as he did not like the atmosphere there.

“I asked the officials to let me go and I said I wanted to go back to my native place. I have been living on the roads for ten years near Tadbund crossroads,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad DMHO, Venkat said that they are ready to provide help whenever people approach, adding that it is the duty of GHMC and welfare departments to provide proper data on beggars who need help.

Deccan Chronicle tried to reach Soujanya from Urban Community Development who refused to talk despite repeated attempts.