Based on the Indian Census 2011, there are 1.77 million homeless people in India. However, civil society organisations peg the number at above 3 Million. The complexity of the problem is increased by the intersectionality of caste and poverty. In one study done, it was seen that 80% of the homeless people were from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes. Listen to this episode to hear how we as individuals as well as the system as a whole can improve. 

In this episode, we celebrate Mohd Tarique. Mohd Tarique is the founder of Koshish. Koshish is a TISS Field Action Project that works on the upliftment of the quality of institutions for the homeless and persons in beggary and advocates for abolishing the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, which is there across 20 states (but not all have adopted) that has a broad and vague definition of begging that criminalises poverty. Mohd Tarique is part of multiple drafting committees to formulate newer policies, he has co-authored multiple academic papers and research studies on Urban poverty. He is also an Ashoka Fellow. 

In the episode, we talk about the incidents that led Mohd Tarique towards this work. We hear about the amazing organic journey of growth of the organisation. The plethora of different programs and initiatives that Koshish offers for the upliftment of the destitute. We hear the stories of persuasion, influence, and relationships that made bureaucratic systems agile and adaptive. 

Note - This conversation was recorded over Zoom. In case you have feedback or guest suggestions, please write to anewkindofcelebrity@gmail.com. If you want technical or consultancy support to launch your podcast, write to reachus@disorientedpenguin.com 

#Leadership #Homesless #Begging #Institutions #InstitutionalCare #Inspiration #Dignity #Inclusion #Intersectionality #Rights #HumanRights #SocialImpact