Begging Free Banaras

Proposal to the Commissioner

On August 12, 2024, Beggars Corporation gave a formal proposal to the Commissioner to make this holy city begging-free by 2027.

As a true socio-economic re-evolution, we have offered to take responsibility for providing alternative livelihood to 1000 capable adults from 1000 beggar families in 6 phases in the coming 3 years at our own cost. We offered to take the following responsibilities:

  1. Turning beggars into entrepreneurs and establishing companies with beggars as stakeholders.
  2. Engaging 1 capable adult from 1000 beggar families (to benefit 5000-6000 beggars) in 6 stages of 6 months each.
  3. Ensuring a minimum of INR 10,000 per beggar per month.
  4. Providing INR 1,00,000/- under Better Life Fund to every beggar who will work with us for 3 years.
  5. Investing up to INR 2 lac per Beggar-Turned-Entrepreneur.
We have requested the commissioner to take care of the following responsibilities, which are well under his authority:
  1. Conduct Problem & Possibility Survey of beggars in Banaras with proper background verification, and issue I-cards to check different rackets and other illegal/immoral activities.
  2. Facilitate Aadhaar, bank accounts, and other opportunities under available government schemes for the poor.
  3. Take care of the old, sick, and disabled.
  4. Ensure education of child beggars or children of beggars.
  5. Provide skill training for the beggars.
  6. Allot stalls/shops/space available under the temple trust/municipal corporation on rent.
  7. Conduct joint programmes for begging-free Varanasi.

Background

Begging Free Banaras - #BFB is a pilot project aimed at making Varanasi the first Indian city to be begging free by March 2027. According to our survey, Varanasi has around 6,000 beggars, out of which 1400 are children. We target able-bodied beggars belonging to the age group of 18–45 living with family or children.

The project will begin by assisting 50 beggar families in April 2024 and gradually expand to handhold 800-1000 families over the next three years. This will be accomplished through six phases that provide sustainable alternatives to begging.

17 Beggars Turned Entrepreneurs (#BTEs) generated Rs. 69 lakh in revenue in FY23, showcasing the power of dignity-driven entrepreneurship. By training and equipping former beggars with entrepreneurship skills, the project helps them take charge of their aspirations. Gone are the days of dependence on begging; these BTEs now proudly supply a diverse range of products to prestigious institutions.

Together, we are building#RamRajya, where everyone lives with dignity and contributes to the nation's growth.

Witness the Varanasi you never knew. Invest, Impact, Inspire


The Campaign

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