Sambhal Campaign Helps Woman Leave Begging, Sell Decorated Diyas

An initiative launched under the direction of Sambhal District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal to end begging is now helping people move towards self-reliance. Under the ‘Bheekh Se Seekh’ campaign, run by the district administration and ‘Umeed’, a social service organisation founded by Dr Raina Sharma, a woman identified as Radhika has been brought out of a life of begging and connected with dignified work.

The district administration said the initiative has been taken under the central government’s ambitious Muskaan scheme, described as the “Livelihood and Enterprise Support for Persons Living on the Margins” scheme. Radhika, who had been earning her livelihood by begging in the Bahjoi area, was identified under the scheme.

A team from the district administration and the Umeed organisation counselled Radhika and placed her in a shelter home in Sambhal. She was encouraged through counselling to become self-reliant and work towards a life of dignity.

While staying at the shelter home, Radhika displayed her hard work, dedication and skills. She used her artistic ability to decorate simple clay lamps, giving them an attractive and colourful appearance.

The district administration is now taking steps to connect Radhika’s skills with the market. In view of Diwali and upcoming festivals, the administration is helping provide her with a temporary sales centre in the market.

At this sales centre, Radhika will sell the clay lamps decorated by her, idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, and पूजा सामग्री, or items used for worship. The initiative will allow her to present and sell products made through her own skill and effort.

District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal said the administration’s objective was not to punish people involved in begging. Its aim was to connect them with the mainstream and give them an opportunity to live with self-respect.

Khandelwal also said that several other women like Radhika would be connected with the scheme. The administration’s approach, according to him, is focused on creating an opportunity for people to move away from begging and towards self-reliance.

Dr Raina Sharma of the Umeed organisation said the purpose of the ‘Bheekh Se Seekh’ campaign was to create a sense of self-reliance along with compassion among people.

“If even one person starts earning through their skills instead of begging, that is the campaign’s biggest success,” Sharma said.

Radhika’s story has become a source of inspiration for the entire Sambhal district. The hands that once reached out to others are now shaping clay into attractive products and building a livelihood through their own work.

The campaign, being conducted under the direction of District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal, is being presented by the administration and the Umeed organisation as an effort to provide support, counselling and employment opportunities to people in need.

Rajat Malhotra