5000 get a second chance in life with SMILE

Time of India

2 days ago

Indore: Indore, which was selected under the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Project last year, has so far recorded the rehabilitation of around 5,000 beggars.
So far, Union govt granted funds of Rs 24 lakhs, while the Indore district administration also provided financial assistance of Rs 18.5 lakh to support this initiative that made Indore a beggar-free city.
Rupali Jain, who runs an NGO enrolled under the SMILE Project, said that after launching the initiative, around 5,000 beggars were rehabilitated, while 2,578 beggars were provided training in vocational courses.
"The funds were used in providing shelters to all those who were found begging and were homeless," she said, adding that an entire infrastructure was created to achieve the desired goal.
"We employed a team of rescuers along with those who provide training to the inmates," she said, adding that with the help of the local administration, IMC, and other departments concerned, the plan to make Indore a beggar-free city was very well executed. "Most of the funds granted in this drive were used in transportation, food, hygiene, and other things as part of the shelter and care of the inmates," she said.