Srinagar, Feb. 11 -- The practice of public begging in India is common even after the implementation of extensive welfare programs such as MNREGA and SMILE. According to data, over 413 lakh people still engage in the practice, underscoring underlying socioeconomic vulnerabilities such as chronic poverty, low literacy, and lack of work opportunities despite government intervention. Older children are taught to beg, while infants are drugged to appear sick. Some have never stepped foot in a classroom, and many have dropped out of school, risking their future to make quick money. Recent statistics show how common school dropouts are in India, especially among adolescents. According to the Annual Status of Education Report 2023, 25 percent of...