© Francois Etienne Du Plessis | Dreamstime.com

Anyone visiting or even passing through Mumbai city is a potential client. The huge network of the ‘begging’ franchise spreads wide across the world, it may well be the largest commercial chain of entrepreneurs there is.

Beggars, for all they know, provide a much needed service to the cosmopolitan society. Some may disagree but if we tweak the prevailing perspective on this subject just a little, we will realize what the act of ‘giving’ offers to some. It provides vindication and a sense of belonging to the social paradigm. However, this may be a spit & shine solution to a much deeper conundrum.

Giving alms to the poor has been completely redefined in the modern world. It is no longer the occupation of the weak or underprivileged. There may even be a corporate hierarchy in some begging outfits. A team leader to manage the foot soldiers. A manager coordinating multiple teams and even a director of operations overseeing the macro functions of the group.

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