Hyderabad teeming with street children

​Hyderabad: The capital city of the new state of Telangana is virtually teeming with street children. There are at least 30,000 street children in the city, according to a survey conducted by an NGO, Save the Children. These street children include orphans, deserted by parents, wards of beggars, those who ran away from home and kids of prostitutes. All these children eke out a living by rag picking, collecting used water bottles and noticeably many of them resort to begging near the traffic signals.

Virtually all these children lead miserable lives. They are bullied by seniors, used by drug peddlers and bootleggers and targeted by sex maniacs. The government could provide shelter to only 4,000 street kids in the 58 State Homes, according to higher official of Women and Child Welfare department. The rest of the children are virtually living on pavements, railway stations, under the bridges and other places.

The meager income they earn is often snatched by the senior beggars, drug addicts and alcoholics. They have absolutely no protection on the street, says Ambika, convener of Balyamitra Network. Surprisingly, they are even harassed by the police at times. These street children are not exposed to education. Since they have no childhood worth its salt, it is anybody’s guess what would they become in future.

They are vulnerable to the anti-social elements who would like to utilise them for criminal activities. Anuradha, an activist, says that there is every danger these children would nurture contempt against the society and become criminals. The government should take up the responsibility of these children which sadly is not happening.

Since it is the responsibility of the Central government, the State government is not allotting funds for the welfare of street children. The State government is running the State Homes for street children with the funds provided by the Centre. However, the fund allocation is nominal. The Centre has allocated Rs 400 crore under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme out of which Telangana has received only Rs 26 crore. The State government has allocated only Rs 65 lakh in addition to the Central allocation.

However, some voluntary service organisations have undertaken the responsibility of providing welfare to the street children. Some of the children are admitted in schools through bridge courses. With the help of philanthropists, these children are provided facilities and quality education. At least 120 street children are studying in the Musheerabad Government High School.

These children are proving their mettle. Some of them are good at English, Maths and other subjects. For instance, two girls—Ushasri and Swati (names changed)—are orphans. Eight years back, Ushasri used to beg on streets with the attire of Mahatma Gandhi. An NGO, Rainbow Homes adopted the girl and she is now studying third year polytechnic course. Ushasri says that she would become a software professional. “A number of children like her would shine if the government provides help,” she adds.

Likewise, Swati used to beg at Liberty. With the help of Rainbow Homes, she is now studying sixth class. Her teachers say that she is bright and good in English. Swati says that she wants to become an IAS officer to help street children like her. More funds and more number of philanthropists are needed to uplift these children.

By Naresh Sankepally