Patna, October 31
With close to 10,000 AIDS/HIV related cases in the state, the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar is contemplating a novel rehabilitation involving beggars to raise the awareness campaign against this deadly disease.

Under the proposed scheme, the government plans to utilise the singing and dancing talent of beggars to create AIDS awareness. Besides, they will also be used to create awareness on polio.

Conceived by the state’s Welfare Department Secretary Vijay Prakash, the scheme, Pahchaan, reportedly intends to suitably rehabilitate nearly 2 lakh beggars in the state and harness their natural talent for some productive work.

A senior official of the state Welfare Department pointed out that while some beggars were good at singing, others at acrobatic and dance performers. ”Their hidden talents can be utilised in spreading awareness against diseases like AIDS and polio through their street performance”, the official remarked.

It was learnt that the Welfare Department, with the help of NGOs, was presently identifying beggars and studying their natural talents, which would be further honed in a specific area through training programmes.

While the scheme now awaits the final approval of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the beggars engaged in varied works will also be paid a suitable honorarium.

Once approved by the Chief Minister, the department is also planning to provide bicycles and tricycles to the disabled beggars.

Sources further stated that initially the focus would be on the districts in north Bihar sharing common border with Nepal where there were maximum number of AIDS/HIV related cases.