Published: 01:28 AM, 14 September 2026
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program for Beggars Should Be Implemented
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a city of enormous opportunities as well as deep social and economic inequalities. Every day, thousands of people struggle to survive on its crowded streets. Among them are elderly people, people with disabilities, children, women, and others who depend on begging for their livelihood. Beggars can be seen at traffic intersections, bus terminals, railway stations, markets, footpaths, and outside shopping centers. Their presence is not simply an urban management issue; it is a reflection of poverty, unemployment, disability, displacement, and social vulnerability. Therefore, a comprehensive rehabilitation program for beggars should be implemented in Dhaka.
Simply removing beggars from major roads or busy public places cannot solve the problem. If people have no alternative source of income, they are likely to return to the streets. Authorities should instead identify the underlying reasons that force individuals into begging and develop practical solutions according to their needs.
The first step should be a detailed survey of people engaged in begging in different parts of Dhaka. Government agencies, city corporations, social organizations, and community groups can work together to collect information about their age, health, family situation, education, skills, and economic condition. Special attention should be given to children, older people, and people with disabilities, who may require different forms of assistance.
For those who are physically capable of working, vocational training can provide a path toward self-reliance. Training in tailoring, handicrafts, food preparation, cleaning services, driving, small-scale trading, mobile phone repair, and other marketable skills could help them earn a regular income. After training, they should receive assistance in finding employment or starting small businesses.
Microfinance or small grants could also be provided to suitable participants. A person who has received training in making clothes, for example, might start a small tailoring business with a sewing machine. Another person could establish a small food stall or roadside shop. Such support should be carefully monitored so that it creates sustainable livelihoods rather than temporary relief.
People with disabilities require particular attention. Many disabled people turn to begging because they face discrimination and limited employment opportunities. Rehabilitation centers should provide medical treatment, assistive devices, vocational education, and job placement services. Employers should also be encouraged to create suitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
