Are children the future
of our nation?
Dear Editor,
The very first scene you see when you step out of your homes is children below the age of 14 seeking alms at traffic signals. They very well know how to play with people’s emotions and make money. One can easily find children begging at traffic signals, near temples, main Chowks of the city and other tourist places.
The number of beggars is increasing in the city. Children, women, aged persons can be seen at every traffic signal seeking alms. These child beggars mostly use novel techniques to attract people as their sole purpose is to get money from them and they very well know how to play with emotions of people. One of the main reason behind this increasing trend of beggary at traffic signals is lack of attention on the part of the authorities concerned.
There is nothing wrong in saying that at almost every traffic signal you will find 4-5 child beggars seeking alms. Traffic signals have become new favourite address of these child beggars. One will find children below the age of 14 seeking alms, asking for food and sometimes they even ask you for chocolates or toffees.
At almost every red light in the city and in outskirts there is an entire family begging for alms. Children in rags, asking for money bother you at such points. While this has become a common sight, I do not know how many people stop and wonder about those kids who are begging. I am sure these kids are visible on the roads to the high profile government officials, social workers and NGOs too. Why are the government agencies and NGOs blind to this?
On one hand, we say children are the future of a nation. Is this our future??
D. P Singh (Raju),
Jammu