Tourists visiting the city are harassed by beggars until they pay them money.
The phrase 'Incredible India' was coined by the government to attract the attention of the world to the splendour, beauty and the culture of the country. Seemingly, the government has concentrated too hard on attracting the attention of the world and neglecting the people of the country, especially beggars.
The beggars not only harass the tourists for alms, but lately, this harassment has turned into torment.
The beggars somehow escape the eyes of the police department at the many historical places, and literally chase tourists, some even running after the auto-rickshaws ferrying them. Tourists are chases even inside AP Tourism buses.
With the currency exchange rate of the Indian rupee being lower than that of many developed nations, tourists end up handing over more money to the beggars than the locals do.
As many as 400 to 500 foreign visitors come to see the Charminar each day, making it the preferred destination for tourists and beggars alike.
While tourists come to see the monument, the beggars come to target easy money.
International tourists are not the only ones who've become the beggars' target.
Sandeep Shukla from Rajasthan says, "I came here to see the historical Hyderabad city and had stopped at the Charminar along with my family and my friend who is a native here. The moment I stepped out of the car, I was surrounded by beggars, who did not let me go till I gave them some money."
A visitor from Delhi, Sheela Tandon, says, "Delhi, which has many historical places and tourism spots, is not plagued by the beggar menace to this extent. Even the Taj Mahal in Agra is free of beggars."
Vandana, a beggar, claims that if she targets foreign tourists she gets more money, adding that she earns between Rs. 300-400 a day, and sometimes tourists even hand her foreign currency.
Courtesy: INN