Varanasi, known as the spiritual heart of India, attracts millions of devotees and tourists to its sacred temples and ghats. However, the presence of people begging outside these revered places has long inconvenienced visitors. To solve this issue, the administration launched the ‘Bhikshavriti Mukt Kashi’ to stop people begging in such places while offering assistance to those in genuine need.
The campaign, spearheaded by IAS officer Himanshu Nagpal, the Chief Development Officer of Varanasi, has been rolled out in two phases. Speaking exclusively to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Nagpal shared details about the campaign.
BHIKSHAVRITI MUKT KASHI
The first phase involves a collaborative effort with NGOs such as Apna Ghar Ashram and Roti Bank, as well as government bodies like Nagar Nigam and the Police Department. This phase focuses on counselling and encouraging people to abandon begging. Those who comply are offered guidance to reintegrate into society.
For those who persist in begging despite counselling and the knowledge that it is illegal in the country, the campaign takes a proactive approach. “Begging is considered a crime in India and the campaign aims to educate beggars about the consequences while simultaneously offering them an alternative path to livelihood,” Mr. Nagpal said.
He further informed that the destitute individuals are identified and provided shelter, while beggars from other districts are sent back to their hometowns. In the first phase of the campaign, the officer and his team rescued 246 beggars and in the second phase, they rescued 170 beggars. Around 416 beggars have been rescued till now.
STORIES OF CHANGE
Mr. Nagpal shared few success stories where they provided rehabilitation and re-united families. Some of these are:
• Chandra Devi, a 70-year-old women from Bihar who was lost in Kashi since last one year, was sent back home with the help of consultation and identification.
• Sumit, a 12-year-old boy from Bihar who couldn’t even remember his name, was rescued, counselled, and sent back home.
• Many destitutes, who couldn’t stand because of hunger, now have turned healthy and are doing respectable work at shelter homes. “There are around hundreds of such stories made possible because of this campaign,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.
UNITING WITH FAMILIES
The campaign goes beyond just addressing the immediate needs of beggars. It extends assistance to the families, intervening to help reconcile them with relatives if they were cast aside. Families are counselled to ensure a supportive environment for their members.
QR CODE
A novel aspect of the ‘Bhikshavriti Mukt Kashi’ campaign is the promotion of digital giving. QR codes have been placed prominently in the city, encouraging people not to give money directly to beggars but to scan the code if they wish to contribute. Funds collected through this method are used to support individuals residing in shelter homes and facilitate their transition into dignified lives.
REHABILITATION
One of the most heartening aspects of the campaign is the focus on rehabilitation and healthcare for those in desperate conditions. Individuals with severe health issues, including skin conditions, are provided with medical treatment, with a commitment to restoring their health. “We have found destitute whose skin were melting, they didn’t even know their names,” the officer shared. The campaign has also successfully reunited several children with their mothers, bringing tears of joy to separated families.
SKILL TRAINING
‘Bhikshavriti Mukt Kashi’ is not just about ending begging but also about empowering individuals. Skill training programmes have been initiated, providing sewing machines and equipment to make ‘dona pattals’. Such initiatives enable people to acquire skills and earn a dignified livelihood, ultimately transforming their lives for the better.
Mr. Nagpal further said that the success of the campaign is attributed to the visionary leadership of the Commissioner and District Magistrate. The positive feedback received thus far demonstrates the positive impact of the campaign on the lives of both residents and tourists. “Visitors to the temples and ghats in Varanasi can now experience the city without the inconvenience of beggars, contributing to a more serene and spiritually fulfilling experience,” he said.
‘Bhikshavriti Mukt Kashi’ is not just a campaign to eliminate begging, it is a beacon of hope that restores dignity to the lives of those in need while enhancing Varanasi’s reputation as a city of spirituality and compassion.
