We can learn from beggars

by Kashfa Kamal
September 8, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1773/we-can-learn-from-beggars

I've seen many Eids (Muslim festival) come and go (more than I care to recollect!) but this year holds a special memory for me and one I doubt I will ever forget.

In June of this year I read a story on your website by Dr. Nadia Rahman that Sir Frank Peters enjoys a special bond with the beggars in Gulshan because he photographs them and their children and gives them copies.

I stumbled across one of these photographic sessions recently and joined the large crowd of onlookers.

I must say I was both impressed and inspired by what I saw. He spoke to them with respect, teased and tickled some of the little children that made them laugh and before leaving handed some money to be distributed equally among all the beggars present.

When I asked if he objected to me taking pictures; without skipping a heartbeat, he answered: "Of course not - provided you pay the beggars a 100-taka modelling fee!" And I did.

My 15 year old son, Arif, who recorded the event on his mobile video, and I took the opportunity of asking Sir Frank for his views on beggars and he told us, "death, taxes and the possibility of becoming a street beggar is the common denominator of all human beings. If not for the grace of Almighty Allah anyone can end up being a beggar."

He then told us begging was a business – a family business. Not necessarily a lucrative business, but a business nonetheless.

"It has no safety nets or insurance policies of any kind, so you need to be good at it to survive. You are the Chairman, Managing Director and CEO. If you are prepared to work hard in hail, rain or shine, put in long hours and do the job right the benefits will come; if not you go out of business and starve," he said.

Then, to my surprise, he emphasised that begging is one of the most honest businesses there are in Bangladesh!

Unlike thousands of other businesses that could be named, begging is corruption-free and by that alone it is virtuous. With beggars you know precisely where you stand from the outset – even from a distance. They cut to the chase, don't waste time, and ask straight out for what they want. The deal is they ask for your taka and in exchange they give you a smile, a thank you and/or a blessing and the transaction is concluded.

"There's no beating around the bush, time is money, and the lights might change any second and better opportunities race by at 40-kilometres an hour!

"We can learn from beggars and the biggest lesson is never to give up. If we can conquer continuous rejection, shoulder put-downs, believe in what we do and ignore the ignorance and compassionless attitude of others; we will eventually succeed," he said.

Photographer Ali Akbar, who doubled-up as Sir Frank's interpreter, said all the children received a practical gift box at Eid containing soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, chocolates and Coke. Before departing he wished them well and they reciprocated.

Quite frankly, I saw beggars from a totally different perspective and I feel enriched by the experience.

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