The Path Less Traveled

Beggars frequently throw a dark shadow, undermining the beauty and purity of these precious areas in a country where religious sites and cultural heritage are highly valued. The Indian government, realizing the severity of the situation, has taken the commendable step of rehabilitating beggars at tourist, religious, and historical sites around the nation. By 2026, these areas are to be transformed into refuges free from the scourge of beggarhood thanks to this extensive initiative, appropriately titled the National Initiative to Rehabilitate Beggars. Image Source: Google SMILE Scheme: Empowering People on the Marginalized The cornerstone of this revolutionary project is the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprises (SMILE) program, which is led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. With funding allotted of Rs. 365 crores, this program was introduced in February 2022 and focuses on two different populations: transgender people and beggars. Importan