Context:
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank, organized a seminar titled ‘Hard to Reach Population – SMILE (Beggary)’ on 25th April 2025 in New Delhi. The seminar focused on policy brainstorming and strategy development for the rehabilitation of beggars, the homeless, and destitute individuals in India.
Key Highlights
- 18,000 individuals have been identified under the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme.
- 1,612 people have already been rehabilitated, as shared by Shri Ajay Srivastava, Economic Advisor, MoSJ&E.
- The seminar, held in hybrid mode, emphasized framework development, inter-sectoral coordination, and knowledge sharing for enhancing social protection systems in India.
- Discussions included best practices, community-based interventions, and the role of digital technologies in reaching marginalized populations.
About SMILE Scheme
The SMILE initiative is a flagship program under DoSJE aimed at:
- Comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.
- Promoting dignified livelihoods and social inclusion.
- Strengthening sustainable support systems through partnerships with NGOs, ULBs, and state governments.
About the World Bank
- Founded: 1944
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
- President: Ajay Banga
- Members: 189 countries
- Institutions: IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID
- Mission: Providing financial and technical support to help low and middle-income countries pursue development and reduce poverty.
Impact and Way Forward
The DoSJE reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Inclusive growth
- Policy innovation
- Empathetic governance for India’s most vulnerable groups
This seminar is part of a broader series of strategic dialogues to build a just, equitable, and resilient social support ecosystem across India.
