FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA
THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER
PEHCHAAN KAUN ?
AAY HAI CHAKKE!
"Ay chikne, chal maal nikaal ".
Does this send a chill down your spine? Beware when you are commuting, for Bangalore is witnessing a critical change in the begging field. Eunuchs, an offbeat category of humankind, renowned for their rigidity are the latest trend in the business of begging that will mature into a social nuisance soon.
Have you ever been confronted by a eunuch? If not, you are lucky, but it may not be for long. Eunuchs, rejected by the society unanimously have ventured into this endeavor in order to earn their livelihood. The regular beggars now have a tough competition.
Lehenge ke andar kya hai?
Be it a signal, a junction, or a traffic halt, eunuchs are all ready for the opportunity. They target posh commuters in a car or even on two wheelers who appear to be smart and hailing from IT sector. First, they approach with a straight request- "De De Raja", and if you try to ignore them, they make a scene out of you on the road. They may grab your collar, massage you on your face, poke their fingers in your tummy, giggle you, and if you are lucky, the lehenga goes up. They also do many a thing that I cannot write here. Sorry for that, but you please imagine it yourself.
Ek rupiya kya deta hai ?
People often do not indulge in any friction with them out of the fear of embarrassment, and straight way hand over them a sincere donation. Interestingly, like beggars, you cannot deal with them in small coins. After all, they belong to a peculiar class they claim is higher then that of beggars. Besides your reputation and embarrassment is also at stake and they therefore demand more from you and never settle for small denominations. "Ek rupiya kya deta hai dus rupiya la de", the famous song from a music album plays in your mind, and of course, you are not amused.
Eunuchism = Forceful collection
The core beggars rather have a considerate approach. They respectfully plead you for a charity in the name of God, and believe in "Jo de uska bhi bhala jo na de uska bhi bhala". Where as the approach of eunuchs are rather demanding, threatening and embarrassing. Forget about not giving, even if you give, and that is little, then you face the tandem. Free face massage, sometimes even abusive words, and myriads of poor species of mosquitoes sacrifice their lives in the argument. In short, they literally take citizen for a ransom and there is nobody who seems to be bothered about this growing public nuisance.
Immediate Regulation
On the contrary, perhaps our irrational notions have resulted in such a complex society that often we do not accept the reality. Eunuchs are a reality, they very much exist in our society and they are increasing in numbers. It is high time that the concerned authorities intervene and come out with an amicable solution to streamline these eunuchs thereby curbing the harassment of the innocent citizen.
Alternative for Livelihood
Why not employ them in a selected field. Why not invite their association and encourage them to initiate and carry on with a kind of work they are able to execute. They obviously need a living to live, so direct them to earn it sincerely. This is the initial period of their growth, therefore streamline them immediately or else they will acutely establish themselves into unhealthy practices of earning livelihood. That of course will eventually make them a social nuisance.
Oh, wait a minute. Who will do this? Will the Government or any concerned agency come forward to the rescue of innocent citizen? No one knows when that will happen. Until then every one will commute with a fear of humiliation by a eunuch any time. So keep the change of HIGHER denominations ready.
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