Posted by: Jonathan
The bus from Pushkar arrived early in the morning on the outskirts of Delhi. A short rickshaw (carriage pulled by bicycle) ride put us back in familiar territory. Which wasn't exactly comforting since we were using the strong stench of urine, trash piles, and colossal cow manure cakes as landmarks to get our bearings from our previous visit.
We dropped our bags off at the hotel, grabbed breakfast, and navigated the metro to the Lotus Temple. The temple stands 35 meters tall, seats 1300 people, has 27 petals, and is surrounded by nine pools (used to help cool the sanctuary). It was built by members of the Baha'i faith which is a rather new, independent world religion whose purpose is to unite all races and peoples of the world in one universal cause and one common faith.
The bus from Pushkar arrived early in the morning on the outskirts of Delhi. A short rickshaw (carriage pulled by bicycle) ride put us back in familiar territory. Which wasn't exactly comforting since we were using the strong stench of urine, trash piles, and colossal cow manure cakes as landmarks to get our bearings from our previous visit.
We dropped our bags off at the hotel, grabbed breakfast, and navigated the metro to the Lotus Temple. The temple stands 35 meters tall, seats 1300 people, has 27 petals, and is surrounded by nine pools (used to help cool the sanctuary). It was built by members of the Baha'i faith which is a rather new, independent world religion whose purpose is to unite all races and peoples of the world in one universal cause and one common faith.
We had never heard of this religion before so we spent an hour speaking to various volunteers at the temple trying to gain a better understanding. The more questions we asked, the more confused we got. To the best of my understanding they believe that God has manifested himself to his people in many ways over the years. Jesus, Buddha, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Muhammad, etc. are all manifestations of God and were sent to guide the people of the world. The most recent manifestation was Baha'ullah, born in Iran and spent most of his life in Baghdad, who wrote the scriptures of the Baha'i faith and is the chosen one. So they don't denounce any other religions, in fact they believe in all religions, just that each one is a small piece of the religious puzzle. Can't say I am sold on it personally but I will admit that the temples they have erected around the world all look top notch.
Leaving the temple we realized that the sweltering sun had brought the Delhi stew to a rolling boil. The ingredients: perspiring people, fermenting food, stagnant sewage, potent pollution, and an extra splash of urine for good measure. During these times of the day we prefer to seek shelter, preferably AC. We found a nearby Domino's and feasted before heading to McDonald's to indulge in the soft serve ice cream. Note - the McDonald's here have a delivery service. That is exactly what America needs, Big Macs brought to your doorstep in case you don't have the time/energy to get fast food.
We have encountered every kind of beggar in the book during our trip and have also uncovered plenty of frauds. It is extremely hard to discern who is really in need and who just sees a westerner as a walking ATM. India brings this issue to the surface since the beggars are more confronting here than anywhere else we have been. You can't walk ten minutes without a tug on your sleeve, a hand in your face, or a gang of kids encircling you. I would normally think of Jenn and myself as caring people but we have taken a strong stance of not giving a penny to any beggar. Yes, it may seem selfish, but before you judge, here is why.
Frauds, too many people cry wolf. Women in the market will ask for money, we say no, and then they go on to make "non-essential" purchases with their own money. Parents will push their kids at us making them beg for money all the while the parents are draped in jewelry. We have even seen some using crutches and barely able to walk, later trotting down the street toting the crutches on their shoulder.
Is any good actually done with the money? This is tough to know but Jenn and I spent an afternoon in Delhi touring the alleys with a nineteen year old tour guide, Satender, who was an orphan street beggar for six years before joining the Salaam Baalak Trust (more on this later) and now gives tours teaching others about the street life.
Satender says that orphaned street kids spend the majority (90%) of the money earned through begging (after the street boss takes his cut - about 25% off the top) on entertainment. Movies, drugs, and most common - video games. Satender showed us several arcades full of street kids inserting Rupee after Rupee to play classics like Street Fighter, Grand Theft Auto, and Need For Speed etc. They spend the remainder on clothes, since they don't do laundry, and on girls. Wait, what about food, shelter, and vested 401k savings you might ask? Free food is distributed in several points throughout many cities everyday. Jenn and I visited more than one in more than one city and watched all those that came get served more than they could eat, even cows gathered at feeding time to eat the leftovers from each plate.
Frauds, too many people cry wolf. Women in the market will ask for money, we say no, and then they go on to make "non-essential" purchases with their own money. Parents will push their kids at us making them beg for money all the while the parents are draped in jewelry. We have even seen some using crutches and barely able to walk, later trotting down the street toting the crutches on their shoulder.
Is any good actually done with the money? This is tough to know but Jenn and I spent an afternoon in Delhi touring the alleys with a nineteen year old tour guide, Satender, who was an orphan street beggar for six years before joining the Salaam Baalak Trust (more on this later) and now gives tours teaching others about the street life.
Satender says that orphaned street kids spend the majority (90%) of the money earned through begging (after the street boss takes his cut - about 25% off the top) on entertainment. Movies, drugs, and most common - video games. Satender showed us several arcades full of street kids inserting Rupee after Rupee to play classics like Street Fighter, Grand Theft Auto, and Need For Speed etc. They spend the remainder on clothes, since they don't do laundry, and on girls. Wait, what about food, shelter, and vested 401k savings you might ask? Free food is distributed in several points throughout many cities everyday. Jenn and I visited more than one in more than one city and watched all those that came get served more than they could eat, even cows gathered at feeding time to eat the leftovers from each plate.
The street bosses provide protection and/or shelter. Finally, the most disturbing of all, at least for me - saving to turn your situation around. Every kid spends all that they have earned that day, by the end of the day, because they can't keep money safe overnight. So, no matter how generous you are, that kid will blow it all by nightfall on "non-essentials." I realize that there are exceptions to every rule but after spending the day with street kids who now are in school, they all openly admitted to how they and the others waste the money in fear of being stripped of the money during the night.
Give them food right? If you purchase them food or drink and don't open it, they will return it to the store and get half of what it is worth back in rupees and the store owner resales the item. If you open it you are guaranteed they can't return it and often you will find that they no longer care for the item leaving you to eat/drink your generosity. The one food that is never turned down, and quite often demanded over Rupees is chocolate, which only strengthens their sweet tooth and weakens their dental hygiene.
Every organization we have encountered that works with street kids and beggars ask that you not give them money, only opened food or open/used hygiene items.
In my opinion it is better to help an organization that helps street beggars obtain and sustain a better life than it is to just dispense Rupees to all the groping hands.
The Salaam Baalak Trust is an organization that targets street children and runaways around central Delhi. They have numerous complexes where they give food, shelter, and education to any kid wishing to get off the street. The kids are even given work opportunities, such as giving city tours like the one we took. Once the child is 18 they either go to work full time or apply to University, which is paid for by the organization. They have numerous success stories of college graduates with degrees ranging from Business to Engineering in numerous Universities in India and abroad. We visited two of the complexes and played with the kids.
Give them food right? If you purchase them food or drink and don't open it, they will return it to the store and get half of what it is worth back in rupees and the store owner resales the item. If you open it you are guaranteed they can't return it and often you will find that they no longer care for the item leaving you to eat/drink your generosity. The one food that is never turned down, and quite often demanded over Rupees is chocolate, which only strengthens their sweet tooth and weakens their dental hygiene.
Every organization we have encountered that works with street kids and beggars ask that you not give them money, only opened food or open/used hygiene items.
In my opinion it is better to help an organization that helps street beggars obtain and sustain a better life than it is to just dispense Rupees to all the groping hands.
The Salaam Baalak Trust is an organization that targets street children and runaways around central Delhi. They have numerous complexes where they give food, shelter, and education to any kid wishing to get off the street. The kids are even given work opportunities, such as giving city tours like the one we took. Once the child is 18 they either go to work full time or apply to University, which is paid for by the organization. They have numerous success stories of college graduates with degrees ranging from Business to Engineering in numerous Universities in India and abroad. We visited two of the complexes and played with the kids.
Two non-related things we learned from Satender that I thought were worth mentioning were that they put tiles with religious images on them in the walls around many buildings. This is to cut down on people urinating on them. It is harder to relieve yourself in good conscious staring into the eyes of Brahma, Shiva, or Jesus.
Second was that everyone throws their trash into the streets because "rag pickers" comb the areas each picking up different materials (paper, plastic, glass, etc). They take huge bag fulls to recycle centers where they are paid per kilogram. Guess the litterers are just doing their part to go green after all.