It was raining heavily on Saturday; there were problems with the train schedule, i.e the trains were running slow as usual. I thought it is wise to take slow rather then waste time waiting for a fast train. I got the second seat, which normally women fight for during rains, as rainwater comes in from the window seat, all were settled down, when suddenly someone touched my feet, I was scared I thought it was a mouse or a cockroach, but it was an old lady begging for food and money, I felt pity for her, I was about to give her a buck, when I heard lady’s voice “Please don’t encourage her to beg by giving her money.” I looked at her, she was sitting across facing me, I was actually angry with her tone, but before I could say anything she yelled at the beggar and told her “Stop begging, get down at the next station or I’ll call the cops.” The beggar left.

The lady looked at me and said “Sorry, I din mean to hurt you, of course’ you were trying to help, but these people don’t deserve that ….She shook hands with me, introducing herself as Nazma Ahmad , -I’m a social worker.

Let’s hear from Nazma-

I work for the poor, I try and help the needy – for employment, house, medical, cleanliness in the city, even I used to feel pity the beggars and gave them money, one day I decided I will erase this profession by helping’ them, one day I saw a man without legs begging in Mumbra station, I went and asked where does he stay, he said he does not have a house, I told him I will take you a ashram, where he’ll be given food and shelter,

However he denied to co-operate and discuss anything further, He said to mind my own business, I felt weird, I decided to keep a watch on him, I followed him wherever he went, and after tracking for three days I found that he has his own house in Bandra, which he is given on rent, his family is in mumbra, begging is just become his profession, an easy source of income. When I spoke to his family, and asked about him, they said “wo tho roj aise hi bahar jaata hai, warna hamare paas gaav me itni jameen hai ki, usi se guzara ho jaata hai, yaha mumbai me bhi, bhade pe diye hai ghar” I was shocked to hear this , I requested them to pass a message to the man, that he should not be seen begging anywhere, or he‘ll never reach home, begging is become a profession, there are brokers who get handicapped people from Kolkata and other states, and make them beg, this has become huge business, each beggar earns minimum Rs.800 to Rs.900 a day.

I started doing this regularly, I was threatened, abused, but I don’t care, I won’t stop serving my country, my people.

I have also been felicitated for my work by Mumbai Mirror and other social institutes, I want more and more people to be aware of the fact that, don’t help people who are actually stealing your money, help the deserving, donate to the hospital, for patients who can’t get medical treatment cos’ they don’t have money, adopt a child, I’m not married, I have adopted a child, I enjoy being a mother, I’m employed in a bank, that’s how I look after my family, My dad is proud of me. It is an achievement for me, I Love my country, and I want to serve my country, keep it clean. I will contribute my best till I’m alive!

The conversation…just came to a halt as I had reached my destination, I had tears in my eyes, I hugged Nazma…I cannot do much for her, but this is my way of contributing to her hard work. I’m proud to know her, and I want everyone to know, that she working hard for a good cause. Let’s all make India proud.

Tribute to Nazma. – Thank You.