CALANGUTE: The number of beggars in the Calangute coastal belt is increasing daily. These beggars, especially the kids, have been harassing locals and tourists for alms. Foreigners usually suffer the most, and at times, the child beggars pull the tourists’ hands to gain attention.
The situation is the same at the beaches of Calangute, Baga and Candolim, which irritates the foreign tourists who want to enjoy themselves on the beach. The police have shown leniency to the beggars, who cannot be put behind bars as punishment for begging.
“We find so many children begging for alms along the roadside or on the beach almost every day, which is not a good sign for Goans. You go to market, they come running after you. I don’t think those beggars are Goans, but ultimately, Goa’s name is being spoilt. Why is nobody coming forward to stop this begging menace, especially in the tourist village of Calangute? We also find beggars sitting in front of the church gates. Does it augur well for Calangute?” said Lyn, a foreign tourist.
Simao, a local, stated, “The beggars have been increasing in number, particularly in Calangute, perhaps due to the villagers’ generosity. We tend to accept them and give them alms regularly, but if we stop this, we may not see them on the streets or even near our church gates.”
It may be recalled that Calangute police, a few years ago, carried out a drive against beggars in the village, but there was no end to the menace. With police going soft on beggars, their number has been increasing, causing much embarrassment to locals as well as tourists.
