Beggar By Choice

Beggar by Choice

As per the Court’s directive in Delhi, any person found giving alms to beggars at traffic signals across Delhi may have to shell Rs 1000 fine. But I say why target just the common man instead of eliminating the root cause, the very act of begging. I know the government is trying its best to make capital beggar free, or to phrase it better, cleanse the city before the much-awaited Commonwealth Games. And if the Government thinks getting rid of beggars is so easy, a average Delhiite can tell you, No sir!, its hard nut to crack.

On that note, I want to share with you one of mine own interesting experience with a female beggar. Well, I was not directly involved, but just heard a little conversation between an educated lady and female beggar at a traffic signal in Delhi.

The incident took place two years ago. I was on my way back home on my motorcycle after finishing the day’s work at office. Stranded at a traffic signal near Moolchand flyover I was waiting for the signal turn green. Suddenly, a lady beggar in her mid-twenties approached two elderly women sitting in an autorickshaw parked on my right. The lady beggar had a half-naked newborn in her lap and with one of her breasts popping out she shamelessly approached them.

Rest of the conversation goes as below, which I somehow was able to hear loud and clear:

Lady Beggar: Oh! Madam, may God bless you, can you please give me a 100 rupees. I have nothing to feed my infant.

Woman in Auto: (In a strong voice) First of all can you kindly cover yourself properly and stop embarrassing people around you.

Lady Beggar: Jee Memsaheb, please forgive me (adjusting her clothes).

Woman in Auto: Where do you stay?

Lady Beggar: I live just below this flyover, near the red light on the other side. We are very poor people and have to beg to sustain ourself.

Woman in Auto: (After conversing with the other women in the auto) Oh! Is that so, would you like to work?

Lady Beggar: No madam, my husband will beat me up. I can’t. You just give me something. The traffic signal will go green very soon. Hurry please!

Woman in Auto: Areey! You are young and healthy I can give you some work as a maid in my house. I live just few paces away from here. Would you like to work? I will give you Rs 2,500/- per month to work as a maid in my house. Tell me, will you!

Lady Beggar: (Suddenly there was change in expression on the beggar’s face. And with her feeble voice turning rustic, rude she spoke) Kyun tu mera subah subah dimaag khraab karti hai maayi. Nahin karna kaam mereko. Main yahin acha kamati hun. Nikal yahan se. Why are you spoiling my mood early in the morning? I don’t want to work, I earn well here. You just get lost!

Both women were shell shocked after listening to lady beggar’s response as she vanished in the traffic. The women in auto gave me stunned look as one her spoke to me, “That’s why Delhi is full of beggars and filth. They are happy begging but won’t work. Terrible I say.” And I nodded affirmatively in response.

Soon the light turned green and I moved out of there along with the traffic. But somehow I couldn’t digest what I just heard moments ago. I really had to pity on those two women and couldn’t understand why that lady beggar turned down such a nice job offer. Will she be able to earn better just by begging?

I reached home and met a friend of mine with whom I shared this incident. This guy has a cousin brother who is a constable in Delhi Police. He found the whole incident amusing and said, “You see my policewala bhai knows these beggars very well. Most of the female beggars you see on roads are not even moms. They hire newborns on Rs 100 per day charge from jhuggis. And you know they sometimes earn more than Rs 5000/- per month. It’s all about easy money my friend.” That was news for me and I thought maybe his policewala bhai must have had little share of his own from street beggars’ earnings. We all know the cops in Delhi. Don't we.

Interestingly, my friend also had his own story to share. This was about how once he was duped by a pregnant beggar. My friend is a visibly rich guy and he was traveling back home in his car with his mother sitting on the rear seat. He was waiting at traffic signal near Nehru Place, when suddenly a pregnant woman opened the car’s back door and entered it without hesitation. She sat beside my friend’s mother and yelled, “Memsahib, I am expecting and having labour pains. Please take me to the hospital.” My friend has a very mature brain and he realized that this is a trap, but he was ashamed to speak anything in front of his mother. His mother, being a mother asked him to drive the car towards the nearest hospital.

Now, realizing that its high time react, my friend turned backwards and asked the pregnant woman, “How much money you want?” To this she replied, “Nahin Chahiye saab." But after a pause she said, "Okay saab, give me Rs 2000-3000, and I will take an auto and go to the hospital myself.” My friend took out an Rs 500 note and offered it to her. “Nahin sahib, I am pregnant you see, give me Rs 2000 please.” “You want it or not, or should I call the police,” my friend spoke in a threatening voice. What happened in next few second was astonishing. She took the Rs 500 note got out of the car and ran across the road like an athlete. My friend’s mother couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched her go. May be she was not pregnant at all.

The incidents like above are not new to people traveling in Delhi. But what strikes me more is that how these street beggars take pride in the whole act of begging. Moreover I feel we Indians are too sympathetic, ritualistic and very primitive with our thoughts. All these things promote begging. That’s why I think begging is here to stay, and that too with CHOICE.

By Vikas Sharda

The Generalist

I am a GENERALIST. Someone, who looks at life with a common man's view, has an out of the box thought process and can generalize with some clue.

I love to feel things, imagine myself in someone else's boot and then would like to evaluate or conclude. I keep an opinion and possess knowledge of about almost everything. They might call me jack of all trade but master of none. But that doesn’t bother me, as I am a Generalist.

Like-minded and mature, love to meet and greet people of all ages and faiths, who can shake my beliefs to the core. With knowledge in abundance and so less time to share, I hope to make it simple for people who care. So, because I like to keep things easy, I am a generalist.

The quote, "If life gives you lemons ... make lemonades,” influences me. While hypocrites and double speaking people I am happy to leave with glee. Often people preach what they do not believe in, I hope they are not hollow within. But I do not want to overdo things and confuse anyone. That's why, I am a Generalist.

I am often on a Jihad (strive, struggle, resist ... is the actual meaning of this word), to uncomplicate things for myself and for others as well. Life is evolving and I am finding new ways to do that everyday. Life is hard but it is fun as well, as anyone can tell. So, because I know life goes a full circle, in the end, I believe, I am a GENERALIST.

Vikas Sharda

VinTage Beauties - In a league of their own.

Vintage Beauties - In aleague of their own!By Vikas Sharda 15/01/2006 At 14:33
This is about a small report I made on some car enthusiasts, restorers and collectors. Somehow I wasn't able to publish it. Now if I can provide a light to their work with your help it would be happy.

Vintage Cars - In a league of their own

Glowing chromes, a scent of fresh paint and petrol, the silent purring of the engine, traditional lantern-styled headlights, and leather cushioned seats. The royal feel you have always wanted; arousing the noble character in you. That is what a Vintage beauty can give you. Of course! Not to mention the appreciative stares from passer-bys. For years, Vintage cars have always had a unique ambience, status and aroma built around them. Dig down the history and you’ll find that these gorgeous antique cars have been priceless possessions of maharajas of Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur or some of the high ranked British laureates. Since than to now upkeep of these cars has been a costly affair. Jaguars, Chevrolets, Fiats, Mercedes, Austins, Morris’, Sunbeams and Citroens are some of the majorly famous vintage cars, each one standing in a league of their own. In the year 1979 to further ignite their passion for vintage cars some old car collectors and restorers came together to form a group of their own coined as Karnataka Vintage and classic cars club. The main objective of the Club was to support the restoration and preservation of vintage cars and motorcycles in the state. Talking about the club one of a old restorer and member Mr Pradeep Roy Kandelkar says “ Every year we have two to three events sponsored by Airtel, Vincent Manor and Taj Westend etc generally for some good cause like, girl Child, destitute children’s or to keep Bangalore clean. Parades, Rallies, exhibitions are some of the routine affairs of the club” Talking about his interest he says “ I started collecting these cars at the age of 35. The first car I possessed was Austiin-8 a 1926 make and later on grew interest in this field. Basically I do cars for my clients nowadays”. Throwing some light on the history of vintage cars he tells us “ Vintage cars are divided into three categories. Edwardian (1920’s), Vintage (1920-1940), Classic (1940-1965) and cars after 1965 are known as modern cars. Similarly Dr Ravi Prakash secretary of the club shares the same passion “ I was into racing and driving and was into national championship racing. Twenty five years ago I took off my gloves on racing and started collecting vintage cars” he says. Dr Ravi alone owns 80-100 vintage beauties for the club. The club owns nearly 400 antique cars with 450 members in its tally, which is constantly growing and spreading. “Its not an easy hobby to pursue. You have to be financially sound with all the knowledge about these cars” Mr Khandelkar tells us. But from where to get these cars? Both Mr Ravi and Pradeep Roy have to say the same thing. “Its not easy to collect cars. From reading snippets to convincing car brokers or owners it’s all part of the game.” Mr Khandelkar says “We mostly get these cars in bits and pieces which has to be restored into original shape. Most of the parts are exported from England and other manufactures in local garages by some talented mechanics. The Club owns some of the antique cars belonging to Motilal Nehru to stables of maharaja of Bikaner.” In the coming future the club plans of its very own Clubhouse, which will be one of a kind in the country, housing a Vintage car museum. Mr Ravi Parkash in the end says “ We are always as a unit there to promote the cause and are deeply concerned. Anyone interested to join the club can do that by just giving a membership fee of Rs 5500/ with a old car of his own.” On the occasion of its silver jubilee the Karnataka Vintage and Classic car Club is organising a International Vintage car Rally in which Cars from Pakistan, Bangladesh and United Kingdom are expected to take part. It would be a International project looked on by all Vintage care enthusiasts.
Email:: vikassharda2000@yahoo.com