To give or not to give? -  If Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance  is accurate then a kind of beggar mafia exists in some cities in India. 'Protection' is given to beggars; they are assigned specific areas to beg in; they will be fed and clothed (appropriately for their professional needs) and the money they collect will go in the main to the Beggarmaster.  I am busily trying to ascertain whether this has any credence.  It isn't easy to ask just anyone this kind of question - I have so far met with raised eyebrows and shrugs of uncertainty.  Even if there were no Beggarmaster I would still not want to give any beggar money on principle, but even more so if the money wouldn't even go to help the destitute but to line some beggar manager's pockets.  I have grown used to seeing the beggars on specific corners. Surely that isn't right.   What should I do?

Today in broad daylight in the middle of the day I marched up Lodhi Road with my video camera and one of those black nylon briefcases (that some conference gave Bert) with a modest load of oranges, sultanas and almonds (I still vividly remember the protein deficient Sudanese children I met and guess the Delhi street children don't get much of a balanced diet either) and a simple English/Hindi children's book.  As anticipated one of the band of kids, where my Chaplin/Jackson entrepreneur weaves his way between the cars at red lights to perform, walked up to me as I approached.   I think he is probably Charlie's older brother - not quite so talented and doesn't have the same swagger as his younger slightly more agile brother.  I smiled at him and showed him my camera and asked permission to film him.  Not sure if he fully understood, but he gladly performed and I showed him the video which he enjoyed and then he asked for "Money M'em?" and I shook my head and handed him the briefcase.  He wasn't thrilled and then I opened it and showed him the fruit and he got a bit more interested.I just smiled again as his younger sister approached curiously and I walked off.  Not responsible for their reactions, but at least feeling I didn't do any harm. 

Here is the young entrepreneur: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9VZPOpOlc
You have to look closely to notice that he has a small weight on a string attached to his cap that he twirls and he uses a wire ring to climb through.   Notice too the small sibling in pink behind and to the right of him who walks into the traffic to 'work' the crowd as the light turns red.  

Felix pointed out yesterday that India theoretically provides free education for all children.  It would surprise me if these children are ever going to school and yet they are on a main Delhi road in a wealthy area, hardly hidden from view.