20 rehabilitated under ‘Beggar-Free Chd’ drive

As part of the ongoing “Beggar-Free Chandigarh” drive, an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare, a flash mob, in collaboration with the Government College for Girls, Sector 11 (GCG-11), was held at the Sector 17 Plaza today.

Under the drive, the Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Department of Police, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and the District Child Protection Unit, has rescued and rehabilitated around 20 persons, including children, who were involved in beggary.

Through their energetic performance during the flash mob event, the students raised awareness about the importance of curbing beggary by discouraging public acts of giving, which often perpetuate a cycle of poverty and exploitation. The flash mob intended to bring attention to the deeper social issues linked to beggary and foster a sense of social responsibility among the residents of the city.

Rachna Verma, wife of UT Adviser Rajeev Verma, was the chief guest at the event. She was joined by officers, including Anuradha Chagti, Secretary, Social Welfare; and Palika Arora, Director, Social Welfare, in lending their support to this drive.

This effort aligns with provisions under relevant Acts to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and help them integrate into mainstream society through targeted rehabilitation programmes. Many of those rescued are from the neighbouring states or other outstation locations, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to address the migration of beggars into the city.