SMILE Programme

SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals For Livelihood and Enterprise) is a comprehensive rehabilitation program for transgender persons mainly focusing on persons who are engaged in the act of begging in urban and municipal areas. This program was initiated with a main focus on eliminating begging in urban and semi-urban areas where the act of begging on trains and streets for a living is a menace to passengers and society.

SMILE scheme is a merger of two different existing schemes for beggars and transgenders. Union government and other state governments have taken serious initiatives to implement multiple welfare schemes for transgender communities after a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2014 which ruled transgender community had equal rights under the law and gave the right to be recognized as “Third Gender”.
One of the important features of the scheme is providing shelter homes to beggars and transgenders. The government planned to use existing homes with state and local governments for rehabilitation as well as constructing new homes. The SMILE program also focuses on counseling, medical facilities, documentation, and skill development.

One of the important features of the scheme is providing shelter homes to the beggers and transgenders. Government planned to use existing homes with state and local governments for the rehabilitation as well as constructing new homes. The SMILE programme also focuses on counselling, medical facilities, documentation and skill development.

Begger status in India

As per Census 2011, there are 4,13,670 beggars in India. West Bengal tops the list with 81244 persons, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 65835 persons. Beggary, though a common phenomena and social issue in developing countries, India as a nation that aspires to achieve global leadership, need to tackle this social evil efficiently. Beggary is a clear index of lack of basic needs like food, shelter, clothes, and healthcare. A comprehensive approach like SMILE, which has included housing, healthcare, and skill development schemes in it, embedded almost everything to resolve this serious social evil in the country.