Indore: India's First Beggar-Free City Sets a New Standard

Indore has been declared India's first beggar-free city after a campaign launched by local authorities. Approximately 5,000 beggars, including 500 children, were rehabilitated. Efforts included employment assistance and school enrollment. The successful initiative has been recognized by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the World Bank.

Indore has garnered national attention as it becomes the first city in India to be deemed beggar-free, local officials announced on Thursday.

A year ago, the city had around 5,000 beggars. District magistrate Ashish Singh detailed that a targeted campaign was launched to rehabilitate these individuals by providing employment opportunities and enrolling children into educational institutions.

The initiative has been hailed as a model approach by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and has caught the eye of a World Bank team. Indore's proactive strategy against begging includes a ban on the practice and incentivizes citizens with rewards for reporting violations.

(With inputs from agencies.)