Related Stories
How a holistic approach helps India’s beggars build a better life
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of The Guardian (One of the UK's leading newspapers)
Posted: September 27th, 2021
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/09/i...
Pandit Tulsidas, 52, was resting under a tree by a road junction in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he had begged for years. When an official approached him about a government scheme that would teach him job skills, he rejected the offer. “But when he told me I was guaranteed a job, I accepted,” he says, fearing that otherwise: “After the training, I’d end up back on the streets, because how can I eat without an income?” Six months on and Tulsidas works at a snack stand outside a Jaipur hospital. Getting people off the streets is usually done by bundling them into a police van and hauling them away to a crowded, dirty shelter. Keeping them off the streets is a problem India has so far failed to crack. The Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation (RSLDC) has developed a four-month scheme for 100 men interested in developing their skills and who have families to support. After an assessment, it’s established that some can cook, some know a little bookkeeping, others can bake and so on. For four months, trainers then work to build on these skills. Employers are enlisted to provide jobs and can visit the training centre. The men are given shelter and food and receive 230 rupees (£2.30) a day, slightly more than India’s minimum wage. Without counselling, many of the men would drop out. Rakesh Jain, RSLDC’s deputy general manager, believes it is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation. “The counselling is as important as the training,” says Jain. It is this holistic aspect that accounts for its initial success.
Note: Explore a treasure trove of concise summaries of incredibly inspiring news articles which will inspire you to make a difference.
Related Stories
Top Inspiring News Articles
Top Inspiring News Articles from Years Past
