The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank, hosted a seminar Headlined ‘Hard to Reach Population – SMILE (Beggary)’ on twenty-fifth April 2025 in New Delhi.

The event aimed to deliberate on strategies for rehabilitating beggars, the homeless, and the destitute. National and international experts participated, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on strengthening India's social protection systems.

Chief Guest Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), highlighted the importance of hearing directly from individuals who have transitioned out of begging to better understand root causes and the effectiveness of support systems.

Benedicte Leroy De La Briere, Lead Economist at the World Bank, emphasised the value of authentic field data and the importance of foundational documentation such as registered addresses and bank accounts for effective rehabilitation.

Key updates included identification of approximately eighteen thousand individuals under the SMILE initiative, with one thousand six hundred twelve already rehabilitated. Global examples from Ethiopia and Brazil and initiatives from Indian states were shared, focusing on community-based models.

The Department reaffirmed its commitment to promoting collaboration and innovation for inclusive societal development.

Source: Press Information Bureau Delhi