In order to arrange bribes for government officials, a retired employee begs on the streets

Some folks choose not to beg on the streets; they do it out of need. It’s often their final option to survive for retired individuals like Mohan Paswan, who lives close to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan office on Power House Road, Sadar Block, Begusarai. Unfortunately, since they lack the money to pay departmental authorities, Mohan Paswan and other retired employees struggle to obtain their benefits. They have turned to begging in an effort to speed up their interactions with the department after failing to raise the necessary sum. On social media, the picture of retired Mohan Paswan begging has also drawn interest.

Mohan Paswan told Local 18 that he is forced to beg since he is unable to pay a bribe of Rs 2 lakh to a government official. He is now begging at the Zilla Parishad Market in the Begusarai District Headquarters.

Additionally, Mohan Paswan is carrying a placard that declares unequivocally that Zilla Parishad staff and authorities are looking for bribes from retirees like him who just lack the resources to comply. Mohan Paswan himself wrote the placard’s message. It was in reaction to a high-ranking member of the ‘Sushasan Babu’ Nitish Kumar administration who demanded a bribe.

When Vidya M.R., a government worker in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, went to the main train station to see a friend a few years ago, things took a strange turn. She had no idea how important this day would turn out to be. Her social media posts from that day were crucial in helping a retired teacher who was abandoned and begging at the train station.

Vidya was waiting with her companion when she observed the elderly lady outside the train station. Vidya noted the woman’s appearance, pointing out that she was dealing with her mental health and was dressed in filthy clothing. Water bottles and soiled garments were contained in a few plastic bags that the lady was carrying. She picked little fruits from a neighboring tree with extraordinary care, as if she was resolved not to let even one leaf fall owing to her activities, and Vidya watched her eat them. Her efforts paid off as she was able to locate a safe haven and connect with her old classmates.