The state of Gujarat took its name from 'the Gujjars' , who ruled the area during 700's and 800s. Time passed by - the rulers, authorities and Governments changed hands. The BJP is in power in the state since 1990s.
By definition, it can be stated that in a welfare state, the government is responsible for the individual and social welfare of its citizens.
Well, simply put, the welfare state is a way of governing in which the state or an established group of social institutions provides basic economic security for its citizens.
Inclusive government and all-round development also means catering to the welfare of those who stand marginalised.
'Child begging' is a social menace and reflects an old 'decay' in the system. The Gujarat government and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has diagnosed the malady well.
The general understanding is that the malady is caused by lack of education as well; -- among other reasons. In fact, many would agree that the sight of children begging at the traffic signal is considered inherent part of urban life. But it's a menace nevertheless.
Around 2022, the Gujarat government had taken up initiatives to rehabilitate beggars and destitute people.
Earlier this month, in one of the mega raids, at least 72 children "forced into begging and dangerous street stunts" on busy city roads were rescued in Ahmedabad.
As many as 24 individuals were booked for allegedly forcing them into illegal activities.
Officials later said 10 children were immediately shifted to a Child Welfare Home, and the 62 remaining kids were handed over to their parents and guardians with warning.
There is an added emphasis. In a move to project a cleaner urban image as the state prepares for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and eyes the Olympic bid, Ahmedabad city administration and others have launched an intensive, multi-agency anti-begging and child rescue drive.
The joint operation was carried out by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and police department’s Women’s Cell, targetting 41 major hotspots to eliminate forced begging and rehabilitate vulnerable individuals.
Task forces rescued 44 children from traffic junctions and markets.
Under Child Welfare Committee (CWC) guidance, four minors were moved to protection homes, while 40 were returned to verified parents under strict anti-begging conditions.
Well, bureaucrats in the state aware of such initiatives say any government could have done it. But the specialty in Gujarat is that the regime under Bhupendra Patel along with the judiciary and the State Legal Services Authority have come to the forefront towards institutionalizing care for such children.
The campaign 'Bhiksha Nahi, Shiksha' attempts to motivate children and their families to choose education over begging.
Initially 10 buses were put into service in 2021-22 and these have been converted into moving class rooms.
The buses have facilities like blackboards, tables, chairs, LCD TV, wifi facilities and drinking water.
These buses are parked at specific places near Signals and offer free education along with mid-day meal.
Normal classroom type classes/educational activities are carried out from 10 am to 1 pm on all working days.
According to official sources, sports and cultural events are also organised and interested children are provided with guidance for skill training.
Periodically the children are also taken to visit/site tours of tourist centres in and around the townships.
Gradually, these 'signal children' are then would be made well equipped to join formal education system also.
The benefits of institutionalizing the scheme are well appreciated at various quarters. "If this project takes off in full steam, child begging will become a thing of past in Gujarat," a source said.
In the entire scheme of things, responsibilities have been entrusted with the state government, the Gujarat State Level Services Authority and Municipal School Board of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
Officials say the scheme was not launched just suddenly. A proper survey was conducted beginning with Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Interestingly, initial surveys revealed that in Ahmedabad at major traffic signals, around 150 children between the age group
of 6 and 14 used to indulge in regular begging (2022).
In Ahmedabad, circles like Paakwan and Polytechnic areas
had maximum children begging.
Sources say the project was launched on March 6, 2022 outside the Gujarat High Court Auditorium with 10 disabled Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had inaugurated more than 30 mobile school buses of Signal School project in Ahmedabad.
Justice M R Shah of the Supreme Court was also present.
In June, 2022, at least 139 children were formally enrolled into these Signal Schools.
One official Ashutosh Patel, who was involved in the work from the beginning, recalls:
"....Parents of nearly 200 children were waiting eagerly on the first day to see their children board the bus -- named affectionately Signal School. It's yellow in colour and is tastefully designed and decorated".
"A special attraction is the fact that the buses are decked up with colourful drawings and messages of good habits in Gujarati," he said.
Each Signal School Bus has one teacher and one assistant teacher.
According to one parent of such a child beggar-turned-student,
"The Gujarat Government's initiatives have brought tears in our eyes.
Tears of joy !....As parents of these children we are also happy to learn that our children will be covered under the state government's scheme of medical check ups offered to municipal schools under the School Health Programme."
Around 700 candidates had appeared for the job as teachers in these Signal Schools and around 20 of them have been appointed.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is impressed with the project.
"This project will have to be implemented in other cities across Gujarat. This will also make sure that the poor children are not deprived of education".
"It is our responsibility as citizens towards the society and is a wonderful opportunity to pay back," he said.
P. Madhaviben, one of the selected teachers for the project, told me in 2022 --
"This is no less than a dream job for me. I always wanted to teach and do something for such children.
I often thought there was shortage of suitable and credible platforms though which I could contribute. Now, I have this Signal School and I am also part of it".
Please Note:
** In July 2021, the Supreme Court said --- ".....solution to this socio-economic problem is their rehabilitation and giving them education and employment.
This is more needed for the little children who beg at the traffic junctions. We need a humanitarian and sympathetic approach from the states and the Centre".
*** As of July 2026, the Government of India has rehabilitated 10,446 individuals—including 2,824 children—engaged in street begging under the SMILE-Beggary Scheme.
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