In a remarkable social experiment that has captured attention across India, the city of Varanasi has become a model for transforming the lives of beggars into stories of entrepreneurship and skill-based employment. What began as a small pilot project has now evolved into a nationwide initiative, with the launch of a Beggars Employment Exchange and a mobile application aimed at connecting trained former beggars with employment opportunities. The project, driven by the Beggars Corporation, is not only reshaping livelihoods but also challenging societal perceptions about poverty and potential.

The story of transformation begins with individuals like Vishal, a 14-year-old boy who once begged at Dashashwamedh Ghat dressed as Bhagwan Shankar. Vishal became emblematic of poverty in Varanasi when the German Ambassador took a selfie with him in October 2021, drawing global attention to his plight. Today, Vishal has emerged as a young entrepreneur earning between ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per month, depending on tourist activity. He works as a tourist guide around the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath temple, generating income not only from direct payments by tourists but also through commissions from local hotels, shops, boat operators, and Benarasi saree showrooms. Vishal’s story demonstrates how opportunity, mentorship, and skill development can redefine a child’s future.

Similarly, Sonam, a single mother who used to beg with her daughter Khushboo, has successfully transitioned to a dignified life through the project. After learning tailoring, she began stitching bags and has since been able to secure a rented home, provide education for her daughter, and achieve financial independence. Another success story is that of Mirchmala Devi, popularly known as Phoolon Wali Aunty. She used to beg in front of the main temple in Varanasi and lived with her five children on the streets, earning barely ₹50-100 a day. Through the Beggars Corporation’s initiatives, she participated in the Jalabhishek campaign in 2022, where child beggars offered bel patra and flowers to deities for 40 consecutive days on behalf of paying clients. She bought flowers from her own small enterprise and earned an initial income of ₹6,000. Today, she is an independent entrepreneur, appointed as one of the directors of the Beggars Corporation, and continues stitching eco-friendly bags, all while securing a stable livelihood and dignity for herself and her family.

The impact of the Beggars Corporation has been significant. The organization has transformed the lives of 114 families who were entirely dependent on begging in Varanasi. Their work, which has now gained national recognition, was showcased through the launch of a book titled “The Last Beggar: From Donation to Dignity” at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on August 12, 2025. The event was attended by prominent figures including Union Minister Virendra Kumar and Justice V. Ramasubramanian, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, signaling official support for the initiative. The event highlighted the corporation’s ambition to make India “beggar-free” by providing skill-based employment and pathways to entrepreneurship.

The corporation’s next phase involves the establishment of a Beggars Employment Exchange, which has received licensing from the Labour Department. The exchange aims to train former beggars for blue-collared jobs such as housekeeping in hospitals and office assistance roles. A mobile application is also under development, designed to allow organizations and individuals to post employment requirements for these trained individuals. The initiative is planned in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, ensuring structured support for the integration of these individuals into formal employment networks.

The Beggars Corporation has also extended its reach beyond Varanasi. In February 2025, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uttarakhand government to make Dehradun free of beggars. This partnership also included the establishment of the country’s first school for former beggars, named the ‘School of Life,’ which aims to equip them with practical skills and education to secure a sustainable livelihood.

The roots of this initiative trace back to December 31, 2020, when Chandra Mishra, a former journalist from Odisha, arrived in Varanasi with a mission to create an employment model that could address the city’s beggar population. Mishra, who had previously contributed to the formation of the Employment Mission in Odisha under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, sought to explore solutions for poverty alleviation in different states. Recognizing the potential of employment over charity, he shifted his focus to transforming beggars into entrepreneurs. Initially, the effort met with resistance, as many beggars had long accepted begging as their primary means of survival.

Mishra collaborated with local NGO Janmitra Nyas, though early progress was limited. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities. With lockdowns in place, training workshops initially designed for sewing and handicraft production were underutilized. Mishra began running a school for beggars near the Pataleshwar temple, starting with only three enrolled participants. By March 2021, enrollment increased to 12, and by December 2021, 30 individuals were actively engaged in skill development programs, focusing on tailoring and craft production.

Rajni, the first trainee, purchased her first sewing machine after producing and selling bags, demonstrating the potential for self-sufficiency. Her products were later sold at significant events, including the BJP national executive in November 2022 and at Benaras Hindu University. The success of early campaigns such as Jalabhishek in 2022, which integrated religious and cultural participation with earning opportunities, further reinforced the model. In another initiative, 57 social investors contributed ₹10,000 each, which was repaid with 16.5% interest by February 2023, demonstrating that the model could generate sustainable returns and encourage reinvestment.

The corporation’s flagship mentorship initiative, ‘Rudrakash – One Beggar, One Mentor,’ exemplifies the integration of social investment and skill-building. This program transforms traditional charitable donations into structured social enterprises, empowering individuals to create a livelihood rather than remain dependent on alms. By the financial year 2024, 21 beggar-turned-entrepreneurs under the corporation earned a collective revenue of ₹3.57 crore, while the majority of other participants earned between ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per month.

Currently, the corporation produces 50 bags daily, distributed to 62 shops in Varanasi, while 20 beggars are engaged in the Jalabhishek campaign at Kashi Vishwanath temple before sunrise. This structured approach allows participants to earn a consistent income while participating in culturally meaningful activities, fostering a sense of dignity and self-respect.

Mishra emphasizes that the program targets beggars driven by circumstances, distinguishing them from criminal gangs that exploit individuals through addiction or coercion. The initiative focuses on genuine beneficiaries who seek a path to independence and social reintegration, providing mentorship and market access to convert their skills into a sustainable livelihood.

The Beggars Corporation, registered in August 2022 as a for-profit company, has achieved recognition as a social impact startup by the Department of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). With an initial investment of ₹2.7 million, the project demonstrated successful market trials and scalable potential. Beyond financial sustainability, the initiative has had profound social impact, restoring dignity to individuals, empowering women, supporting children’s education, and creating a replicable model for other regions.

In conclusion, the initiative in Varanasi illustrates a powerful example of transforming marginalized populations into productive members of society. Through skill-building, mentorship, structured social investment, and culturally relevant employment programs, beggars have transitioned into entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and community contributors. The project demonstrates that with thoughtful intervention, access to training, and market opportunities, even the most marginalized individuals can reclaim their dignity, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to society. As the Beggars Corporation expands its operations to other cities and integrates technology through its app and employment exchange, it promises to provide a scalable blueprint for poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship across India.