Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Aug 24: The three decade old beggars’ home situated at Pacchanady has been facing severe backlash in recent times as far as its maintenance is concerned and official apathy as the authorities have failed to rescue destitutes from bus stands, traffic signals and those who escape from the beggar’s home.

Recently there was also an allegation about a staff of the beggar’s home leaving a blind man at Nehru Maidan to fend for himself.

There are 152 inmates in the beggar’s home including 7 women as on date.

Superintendent Ashok Shetty has denied all the allegations against the beggars’ home. He claims that the home has developed a lot in terms of infrastructure and other facilities during the last two years. He said inmates are provided with food daily that includes early morning breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"We have to send a daily activity report about the goings-on here to our head office with photos. The inmates will be at the beggars’ home for a minimum period of one year until they are transformed completely. They will be released on bail and handed over to the family members. If the family members do not come here to take them then the onus is on us to take them to the ashram," he said.

A RO water unit has also been installed in the premises. The inmates also get involved themselves in cleaning, planting saplings and maintaining greenery in the premises. There are all types of plants and trees spanning over the two-acre land property. At least 30% of the land is filled with lush greenery.

He also said, "We are not supposed to accommodate destitute into our home from among those who are in the bus stands and traffic signals. We only have the provision to accommodate those who beg on the streets. We observe them closely, take pictures of them begging on the streets and then take them to our home. Our intention is to take them home and transform them as also bring them back to the mainstream. Our security staff which were once living here have been appointed as staffers of the home after they weret completely transformed. Facilities like uniform, bed sheets and pillows are provided by the government. Besides, recreational facilities to play ludo and carrom are also provided to the inmates of the home."

Ashok Shetty said, "We have increased the height of the compound wall and installed sharp grills so that no inmates escape from the home." 

The beggars home is covered with several plantation crops including banana, chickoo and jackfruit besides a few others. The staffers conduct various activities like sports for the inmates. Yoga is practiced every morning and also doctors visit the home once a month to conduct health checkups for the inmates.

The district administration should take measures to rehabilitate destitutes in the bus stands and traffic signals. It has also been observed destituted suffering from diseases sleep in the bus stands which go unnoticed. There is a likelihood of the diseases spreading to the other citizens who flock the bus stands.

Recently a destitute was suffering from leprosy and was found sleeping in wet clothes. Later, White Doves, an NGO intervened took the initiative in sending him to a hospital.