‘Beggar-free India’ campaigner in Tawang

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: In the current leg of his ‘Beggar-free India’ campaign, which began on foot from Jammu, Delhi-based mechanical engineer Ashish Sharma reached Tawang on Tuesday.

Deeply touched by the pathetic condition of young children who resort to begging, Sharma (29) said he feels that the government-run welfare schemes are not reaching those who truly deserve them because of lack of awareness, which led him to embark upon the countrywide march to create awareness among the masses. Sharma started his journey from Jammu on 22 August, 2017.

He informed that he travels around 30 to 40 kms a day and meets thousands of people to make them aware of the welfare schemes that could change an individual’s life. So far, he has covered around 8,277 km in 16 states.

He has even programmed a mobile application named ‘Duayen’, in which he has connected schools, hospitals, police stations, administrative officials, and other government establishments.

“The application is in the testing phase. I am planning to launch the application also, the day when I will be celebrating ‘Unmukt Divas’. The mobile application can be of great use in identifying lost kids and child beggars, helping them reach their homes,” he said.

Sharma will be in the Northeast for 49 days, after which he would leave for West Bengal.