Workshop on beggary prevention concludes at NU

DIMAPUR — A two-day national level training programme and workshop on social empowerment and beggary prevention concluded on March 26 at the Department of English, Nagaland University, Kohima campus.

An update from the university stated that final day proceedings began with a session by Dr. Imlisongla Longkumer, associate professor and HoD of Psychology department, who explored the psychological dimensions of the issue in her talk, "Counseling and Beggary." She characterised counseling as the vital practice of "working with individuals" and noted that those trapped in beggary often suffer from low self-efficacy and self-esteem, necessitating structured rehabilitation and supportive approaches.

Dr. Gyanendra Nath Tiwari, professor and HoD of Teacher Education, spoke on the inter-linkages between educational access and beggary prevention, focusing on how to map a transition from systemic poverty to sustained empowerment.

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It stated that the mid-day segment featured screening of a documentary “Children for sale: The fight against child trafficking in India,” which provided a sobering look at the exploitation of children in labour and begging. It was followed by a discussion led by Dr. Prasenjit Pal, who urged the audience to extend a hand of compassion toward those vulnerable populations.

During the session, Prof. Joy Das, head of Commerce department, delivered a lecture on how financial inclusion acts as a pathway to reduce beggary by empowering marginalised individuals through specific structural pillars.

The afternoon session began with a virtual presentation by Dr. Tanmoy Bhattacharjee from Women’s Christian College, Kolkata. He examined the economic aspects of beggary within the transgender community, using the artwork of KG Subramanyan to illustrate their lived experiences and societal struggles. Subsequently, Prof. Suresh Kurapati from English department at Nagaland University discussed whether beggary in India is a societal menace or a structural failure, drawing on the historical contexts of nomadic communities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, such as the Budubudakkala and Beda Jangam.