Attabira: Even as crores of rupees is spent to universalise primary education through Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan, many parents in rural areas still engage their children in begging to supplement their family income, stated a report.
This reporter Friday met two children – Rahul,10, and Pinku, 9, of Nuagaon near Dhama in Sambalpur district – who had come to Udepur in Bheden block in Bargarh district to beg alms.
“Poverty has forced us to adopt this method to support our families. We have been doing this for the past couple of years,” said the duo, adding, the money they collect from begging helped them get food and clothes.
When asked whether they had parents, the two nodded in affirmation and said they had to discontinue their studies as their parents couldn’t meet their school expenses.
One of the children has a brass replica of a cobra, some flowers, rice and milk on a plate and the other held a bag to collect alms.
The children should be carrying school bags whereas they were visiting door to door to eke out a living, said a passerby.
Locals have demanded provision of education facility for the kids by the district administration.
PNN
