Begging can be considered a social crime in some societies, including India, where it is illegal in many states.
The causes of begging include poverty, unemployment, lack of education, disability, old age, illness, family disintegration, ignorance, lack of awareness, and displacement. These factors contribute to individuals being unable to support themselves and begging to survive.
Begging is viewed as a public nuisance, and it is often associated with poverty, homelessness, and unemployment.
Psychological causes of beggary included a lack of self-respect, feelings of being worthless, and feelings of insecurity about their future.
People resort to begging when there is no way to eat or live. But some people employ it. Bharat Jain is one such person. Bharat Jain is said to be the wealthiest beggar in the world, with a net worth of Rs 7.5 crore.
From his teenage years, Bharat Jain has made begging a profession for over 40 years. Bharat Jain begs at prominent places like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station (CSMT) or Azad Maidan. There, he can earn Rs 2,000 to 2,500 per day. They are working 10 to 12 hours a day. No holidays or breaks are taken. Through this, Bharat Jain became a wealthy man with valuable properties in Mumbai. He owned a 2 BHK flat worth Rs 1.2 crore in Parel. Bharat Jain lives there with his wife, two sons, brother and father. The children were admitted to a prestigious convent school. She completed her education there.
Bharat Jain’s other family members run a stationery store. He also has two shops in Thane. It fetches a monthly rent of Rs 30,000. Despite repeated requests from his family, Bharat Jain is not ready to give up begging. Bharat Jain says he enjoys begging and doesn’t want to give up the lifestyle. Bharat says that begging is done out of love and not out of greed and donates money to Jain temples and charities.
