On paper, India can claim to be a nation that has
banned begging but the mundane reality begs to differ. In Mumbai,
beggars are everywhere but quite prominent inside local trains and on
the
over-bridge at railway stations. However, a recent incident made us
notice the
difference between performing and begging. A little girl in ragged
clothes entered a second class
compartment only to belt some old Bollywood numbers. Although her
immature
voice and lack of training was apparent, she came into her own while
doing the
rounds for collecting money from the passengers. On being harangued by
an
elderly gentleman—"Chutta nahi hai"—our pocketsized heroine had a
ready reply.
“Toh note dono na saab! Bheek todhe hi maang rahi hoon?”, which not only
earned her laughs but also some forthcoming contributions.
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