Recent Arrest, Protest & Government Institute

Usually I refrain from writing about current political affairs on my blog. Nevertheless, sometimes it becomes essentials to write, because it may not bring any impact or change but it will surely give solace and satisfaction to the heart. Recent arrests of five activists by Maharashtra police was one of the act, which deserve strong condemnation.  In democracy, every citizen has fundamental rights given by constitution and police or any state agency cannot trample those rights of the citizen. Some media reports say that, these arrests are linked with assassination plan of prime minister. Assassination plan of prime minister of any country of the world will come under the category of ‘ heinous crime ‘ and such allegation must be supported by concrete evidence otherwise such allegation will be treated as politically motivated factious tricks to divert the attention of the people from real issues like  unemployment, effects of demonetization, poll promises etc. So far, police have failed to give any solid proof to the court or in public domain against the arrested activists. Public sentiment about these arrests is that this is the coercive measures of the government to silence their fiery critics.

Those who support this arrest, they have theory of ‘urban naxalite’. They feel that those who are arrested they are the supporter of the naxalite. In democracy, there should not be any place for killing, lynching, violence etc. Those who are committed to violence, they should be dealt sternly by the state and public should not sympathize with them. I know many students, social workers, professors, writers, theatre professionals, activists, personally or through face book, social media, print media, electronics media who are ardent supporters of the cause of poor, downtrodden, schedule castes, schedule tribes and needy people of society and they strongly oppose any idea of violence in the society. They do their work peacefully and believe in democratic debate on contentious issues. They ask questions to state, concerned departments, public, institutions and work as a watchdog for the rights of poor. It has been observed that even these kind of people are sometimes called ‘urban naxalite’ and targeted / being targeted by state, corrupt officials, political parties and their gullible supporters.  State targets human right activists, social workers to divert the attention of public from the shortcomings of the government. Corrupt officials target these people to cover up their corruption and misdeeds. Political parties and their gullible supporters target them because they work with poor, they know ground realities and they always put uncomfortable questions before them. When state/ corrupt officials / political parties do such nefarious act they lose their credential in the eyes of public and face protests from the ardent supporters of democracy and human rights.

Following the arrest of five activists, day before yesterday, I witnessed the protest march of the students of Tata Institute of social sciences in Rajendra nagar. They were around 30-40 students in number, shouting slogans against the arrest of the activists. Their protest march made locals curious about the cause and they were in awe of these students. Someone asked me-‘What the reaction of your alma mater NIRD &PR about the recent arrest?’ I said, - ' NIRD&PR is a place in the city, where the temperature of campus is always at least two degree lesser than rest of Hyderabad.” Though I replied in lighter vain but it is true that because of greenery of campus and environment friendly measures, the campus is cooler than rest of Hyderabad. NIRD&PR is a government institution and generally, the institution does not encourage students to participate in any protest march against any policy / Social political cause /Political parties. When I was studying, during that time, we students used to keep abreast of every social political economical developments of country and we would do a lot debate in classroom, conference hall and with faculties. Our support and opposition of any cause was confined to hostel. I think still the trend is same in the institution. Institution believes in ‘Silent revolution in social / rural development sector’.


~~~ Ramanuj Dubey

Beggar stories, Diary notes VIII - Unique but painful experience

Our interactions to beggars are generally limited to giving alms. After giving alms hardly we care or remember the face of the beggar. Though they are human like us but we do not want to / hesitate to admit them a part of the society. For us, they are unfortunate unwanted creatures who intrude in our life, make their poor presence felt, knock our conscious / unconscious and ask for our help. Sometimes we help them, sometimes we rebuke them, sometimes we avoid them but hardly feel interested in their lives.

When I decided to do the field study on beggar , my sole motive was to gain a new experience , to explore the life of that part of humanity who are ignored , despised , uncared , unloved and considered as less than human . Nevertheless, the interactions with beggars were not easy one. Most of them were not eager to talk about themselves. Some of them were aggressive, hostile and difficult. Few of them wanted money / liquor for the response of the questionnaire.  Few of them did not want to be bothered by any enquiry or questions. I took it as a challenge to interact with and managed to communicate around forty-five beggars more than an hour to two hours.

Took photo of beggar after interaction

Every beggar has his / her own woes to tell and each story was unique. The common element of their stories was that nobody wanted to become beggar in their life including those who were born in beggar family. The circumstances in their life led them to do beggary. I observed that most of them would become emotional remembering their painful phase of life when they became beggar. In their opinion, from normal life to become beggar was most stressful and torturous phase of their life. Some of them told that they were so overpowered by their woes and pain in their life that they were not in their own sense when they started begging. Around fifty percent beggar revealed that they tried at least two times to quit begging and start new livelihood.  They tried to fight with circumstances and fate to live a dignified life. When they failed in their endeavor, they again came back to their old profession. Interestingly I interacted with nine beggars, who did not want to acknowledge themselves as beggar. However, they were completely dependent on alms only. During study, I interacted with three women, who confessed that they were sexually assaulted many times in the past. Sadly, none of them complained or filed F.I.R in police station and they were not keen to do so.



During interaction, one old beggar philosophically shared his views that when you start begging on road, you shed all shame and compromise your dignity, you do not remain the same person. You learn to live in gutter and accept every bad thing as part of life. According to him, death is only salvation from this life.

Another beggar recounted one incident that took place eight to ten years ago. He knew a beggar, who used to beg with him, was suffering from acute T.B. One winter evening he died by the roadside. He stayed with the dead body whole night. Morning, when municipality people came for cleaning the area, they informed about the death to police. Few policemen came to see the dead in afternoon and took the statement of the beggar. The whole procedure took one complete day and his body was taken for disposal / cremation following day. “I was with him his last thirty-six hours but when I will die who will be beside me or my corpse”- with teary eyes he asked to me.

Every interaction was the story of sufferings, ill fate, helplessness, and unpredictability of life. Some of them fought to overcome their financial, emotional and family problems but unfortunately, none of them succeeded in their efforts. They are still fighting with their woes everyday and continuing the life. Their stories remind us our glaring failure as a human race .Until we do not provide basic needs of beggars and help to bring them in normal life, we cannot claim ourselves to be the part of progressive and modern world.

~~~ Ramanuj Dubey

Beggar Stories, Diary notes VII - Analysis of Interactions

   I - Do you cook your food?

I asked this question to eighty beggars.  . Out of eighty beggars ,  81%  beggars ( sixty five beggars ) said that they get food from people or eat outside hotel, street shops etc, whereas 19% ( fifteen beggars ) said that they have cooking utensils and they cook food regularly .

II – Do you eat sufficient food everyday?

Out of eighty beggars, 89% beggar (seventy-one beggars) responded that they eat three times meal everyday. They have never slept without food any day. 5% (four beggars) told that they do not eat sufficient food regularly. 6% (five beggars) told that they go hungry if weather is bad for few days or they are sick for long time and unable to go for begging.

III- Which season do you find difficult?

Out of 45 beggars, 80% (thirty-six beggars) responded that rainy season is the most difficult season for them. Winter is difficult season for 16 % (7 beggars) beggars. 4% (Two beggars) beggar find summer season difficult for them.

IV – Do shopkeepers give you any items on credit?

The above-mentioned question I asked to forty-two beggars whose earning was 5000-6000 rupees or above per month. 79% (Thirty-three beggars) said that shopkeepers never give anything on credit whereas 21% (nine beggars) told that sometimes they give articles on credit.

V- How do shopkeepers treat you when you go there as customer?

They said that generally they go to small grocery shop, street shops, small roadside hotels etc. Out of forty-two beggars, 14% (six beggars) told that they are treated with respect. For them respect by shopkeeper means shopkeeper pays attention, talk politely and observe the turn of customers while giving items etc. 67% (twenty-eight beggars ) responded that shopkeeper shows no respect to them as customer. 10% respondents (four beggars) told that shopkeepers are indifferent to them, and other 10% respondent said that they have experienced rude and violent behavior from the shopkeeper.

VI – Have you ever visited mall/ big shopping complex?

This question I asked to twenty-two beggars who were begging in front of / nearby / around mall or big shopping complex.  91% (twenty beggars) responded that they never visited mall /shopping complex. Security guards do not allow them to enter the mall. 9% (two beggars) told that they visited the mall two times for cleaning purpose when portion of mall was being constructed.

VI- How do you commute from one place to another place?

Out of 47 beggars, two had tricycle otherwise 96%beggar (forty-five beggars) travel one place to other place in the city in public transport or private sharing auto. They are treated well if they are not drunk and pay the bus/auto fare. If they do not pay bus/auto fare or drunk, in that case bus conductor speak foul language.

VIII- Do you have mobile?

Out of 103 beggars, 11 % (eleven beggars) had mobile phone.

IX- Do you listen to radio/TV or read newspaper?

Out of 48 beggars, 4 % (two beggars) read newspaper at tea stall. 46% (twenty-two beggars) watch TV occasionally in street hotel /advertisement display screen on bus/railway station. Rest 50% do not read newspaper or listen/watch radio, television.

X – Do you trust other beggar?

This question was asked to 48 beggars, 17% (eight beggars) said that they trust other beggars. 83% (forty beggars) revealed that they do not trust other beggars on money matter. 67% (thirty-two beggars) shared experience when their money was stolen by fellow beggars.

XI- What do you mean by government?

During interaction, I asked this question to thirty-six beggars. 53% (nineteen beggars) feel that police are government. 19% (seven beggars) feel that those who look after rail, bus, station, road construction, law and order, they are government. Rest 28% (ten beggars) think that leaders / elected representatives who win election, they are government.

XII- When do you feel happy?

Out of 42 beggars, 69% (twenty-nine beggars) said that they feel happy when they are treated well. 21% (nine beggars) feel happy when they help others or give some gifts to their family. 10% (four beggars) feel happy when they get good food like chicken briyani, spicy cooked vegetable etc in alms.

XIII- Do you believe in God?

During interaction, I asked this question directly or indirectly to eighty-two beggars. Around 99% (eighty-one beggars) believed in God. One beggar, who was in early twenty he said that he does not believe in anyone including God.

XIV – Do you think God has done justice to your life?

I was apprehensive to ask this question. I asked this question only to those who were trying to show enthusiastically that they believe in God and without mercy of God nothing could happen on this earth. Out of thirty-two beggar, 44% (Fourteen beggars) did not respond to this question. 34% (eleven beggars) said that they are not happy with their life but continuing it thinking it, God’s will. 22% (Seven beggars) feel that God did injustice to their life but they are hopeful that something good will happen to them in this life/after life.

XVI – What is best memory of your life?

Out of thirty-six beggar, 71% (twenty-four beggars) said that their childhood memories are the best memories .23% (eight beggars) feel that time spent with wife and family is their best memories.  6% (two beggars) feel that they have best memories of their work and employer.

XVII- Who do you miss the most?

Out of 36 beggars, around 47 % (seventeen beggars) miss their mother most. 17% (six beggars) remember their wife fondly. 11 % (four beggars) feel that their father loved them most. Another 11% (four beggars) remember their children. Eight % (three beggars) beggars miss their relatives and lover. 6% (two beggars) remember their employer the most.

XVIII- What is the purpose of your life?

This question was asked to sixty-four beggars directly or indirectly.  Around 50 % (thirty-three beggars) responded that they do not have any purpose of life. 14% (Nine beggars) feel that they do not have any life. 18% (twelve beggars) feel that their sufferings might be the result of sin of past life. They are leading the life to cleansing the debt of past sin. Rest 18% (twelve beggars) would like to look after family well and want to see their children educated so that they can lead a respectable life.

~~~ Ramanuj Dubey

Beggar Stories, Diary notes VI – Some Unforgettable Interaction of the Field Study

  

After interaction , taking selfie with elderly beggar

When I greeted him, he was talking to himself sitting on the cemented bench of the railway station. He looked askance at me. I explained him about the study on beggar and broached the topic of his life. However, he gave me the answer of few questions but seemed uninterested in conversation. Meanwhile two passengers who were watching me talking to beggar also came near to us. When they came, that time I was asking to him about personnel information.
After asking about his age, education etc, I asked about his marital status. He did not reply.
I asked him again, “are you married?”
With raised voice he replied – “Why are you asking about my wife?”
“We would like to know about you, your marital status, your family, how you live. All these information are important for the study”- I tried to explain. What I wanted to explain, perhaps he did not understand but he remained silent.
“How many kids you have”- I asked next question.
This question infuriated him. Suddenly he got up and hurled volley of abuses on me. I was completely taken aback by his behavior but I did not lose my calm. He stood there for few seconds then went other side of the railway station.
One passenger who was observing us from the beginning, reacted, - “How much he abused you for no reason. If any other person were in your place, he would have thrashed him. Do not you feel insulted / offended?
I smiled to see his reaction.  I replied – “My ‘ego /self’ is not so weak that it can get offended or insulted by a mentally disturbed beggar. I know who I am and what I am doing. I sympathize with him.” 

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Seventy-two years old beggar Mohammad was resting on a wooden platform nearby roadside. A towel was spread before him and few coins and notes were kept on it. I sat by him and asked about his life, childhood, family etc. When I asked him – “How much many do you get in a day by begging?” he got annoyed.
He said angrily, - “I do not beg. I am not a beggar. I sit here and I get money. People give me money.”
“But what do you give to the people in return of their alms”- I reasoned.
“I give my blessing to them. I bless everyone. People like my blessing that is why they come and give me money. How can you say me a beggar?”- He asked.


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I found Shekh Liyakat agaed around fourty-five years old in Charminar area where he was walking in the street and asking for alms from the shopkeeper and passerby . I stopped by him and requested him to give the answer of the questionnaire. He was abnormally white from top to toe. He was suffering from albinism. (Albinism is a condition in which a person or animal lacks pigment /colour, so that they have white skin and white hair).
He laughed at me. “Beggar! Do I look like a beggar?”
I did not reply.
He continued – “In this area everyone knows me. They call me Gore miya, Gora sahab. I am born like a sahab, an English man.”
“ That is fine. Please tell me about your personnel information”. I opened the bag and took out cardboard and questionnaire sheet.
“Shall I give my information false or true”? He was not at all serious.
“Why will you give me wrong information? Give me right information”
He smiled and said – “ok, ask?”
“What is your qualification?”
“I am English man, Gora sahab. It does not suit my personality to tell others that I am less educated. Write M.A. or B.A.”
“Please tell me the truth” – I was amused as well as irritated.
“B.A.  Write B.A.”
“Married?”
“ Yes, my wife stays in the village with children .I live here in Hyderabad. I am the only beggar in this street who pays two thousands rupees per month house rent. I live like a king. I beg only for six days, do not come for begging on Sunday. I have my own rules.”
I noticed he was not giving correct information to any question. He was making fun of everything.
I asked about his children.
“Elder daughter got married and now living with her husband. My son is studying in government school. Whenever I go to village, I take gift for him from here.”
“Do you want to quit begging?”- I asked.
“Why should I? When people are treating me like a Sahab why should I quit”- He said arrogantly.
“What your son says about your work? Does your family approve this work? Why do not you bring him here and admit him in any English school. This area will have Gora sahab and Chhota sahab too?”- I suggested.
I observed that first time during the interaction he became serious. He was trying to control his emotion but could not do so. He broke down and started crying. I was shocked to see his reaction. I gave him water and tried to comfort him.
After few minutes, he confessed – “Sahab, truth is that, I am illiterate, I do not have any skill. I cannot do any labor work, as I cannot stay in sunlight for long time. I have eyes problem and skin disease. I want my son to become an educated person and lead a dignified life. Please pardon me for my behavior”.

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She was sitting on the bus stand bench, lost in her thought. She looked tired, exhausted. There was something strange in her eyes .They were giving the reflection of pain and pessimism. I went up to her and said – “Amma, you look exhausted. Must be a tiring day for you”
She looked at me but did not say anything.
“Do you want to drink water?”- saying so, I took out the bottle from the bag and handed over water bottle to her.
It was afternoon; temperature must have been 37-38 degree Celsius. She gulped down half of the water from the bottle.
“Now I am feeling better”- She murmured. I smiled.
“What do you want”- she asked to me.
“Nothing”-I replied. “I am doing a study on beggars’ life. Would like to know your life, your story”.
“There is nothing much in my life. I am a beggar, this is my present, this is my future. Now I do not think much about it”.
She was not willing to talk about her life. I explained her how her story may help in understanding this problem and persuaded her to tell her story. Around forty-five minute she narrated her stories. When I took out my phone to take her photo, she got angry.
 “Why are you taking my photos? Thinking you an educated person, I opened up before you but you are trying to take advantage of my situation. I won’t allow you to take my photographs.”
Seeing her strong objection, I put my mobile in my pocket. Then I took out questionnaire sheet and requested her to reply. Now she was not interested. She did not want her story or profile to be documented. She requested me not to tell or write her story anywhere. I promised her, I wouldn’t.
Her story troubles me a lot. I felt she was a genuine one who suffered a lot, fought against all odds throughout her life and tried her level best to lead a dignified life but she could not succeed in doing so.  


~~~ Ramanuj Dubey