Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Begging is the last resort for people to support their daily needs, but it need not be always the case.
Ramesh Yadav, a beggar who is being taken care of in a shelter home (rehabilitation camp) meant for the destitute in Indore is a millionaire.
Although Ramesh owns property worth crores, he is used to begging on the streets. All thanks to his habit of drinking.
Ramesh was found by the NGO workers and brought to the shelter home. When the NGO workers contacted his family, they were stunned to know that Ramesh owns a bungalow and a plant worth crores of rupees. However, he was thrown out of his own property as he would not give up on drinking.
After the assurance from the NGO workers, Ramesh's family has promised to take him back provided, he gives up drinking.
Ramesh on the other hand is also determined to give up the habit.
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The rehabilitation camp is one of the first of its kind in the city and the move comes after the administration was criticised for its move of dumping homeless people outside Indore amid the biting cold.
Later, the local administration has got into damage control by providing food and shelter to such people, and has asked officials to treat them with "sensitivity and humanity".
Food and bonfires are now being arranged in facilities where homeless people are provided shelter at night, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officials said. Besides, a campaign has also been launched for the rehabilitation and health checkup of beggars here, they said.
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Indore Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) and IMC's administrator Pawan Sharma said he has directed officials concerned to rehabilitate beggars and homeless elderly people with "sensitivity and humanity". There are already 10 facilities in the city for providing night shelter to those from deprived sections, Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhay Rajangaonkar said.
"In view of the severe cold weather at present, the homeless elderly people are now also being provided food under the state government's Deendayal Rasoi Yojana," he said. Bonfires have also been arranged for those taking shelter in these facilities, he said.
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Another civic official said they have started a week-long campaign for the health checkup of elderly people and beggars living on footpaths in the city.
Indore is among 10 cities of the country selected for the drive of rehabilitating beggars under the Centre's social justice department, he said. As part of the campaign, people surviving on begging are being identified, and they will be provided employment to bring them into the mainstream, he said.
A video on social media showed municipal workers dumping homeless elderly persons outside the city, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters. District Magistrate Manish Singh later said he has apologised to God for the local administration's action.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday suspended an IMC official in connection with the incident. The civic body has also removed two temporary employees from the job.
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The incident has taken place at a time when the administration of Indore, which has won the country's cleanest city tag four times in a row, is making all efforts to keep the city neat and tidy to win the 'Swachh Sarvekshan 2021'.
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