Importers begging for respite from depreciating rupee, gets better for dollar beggars
Outbound travellers and importers may be begging for a respite from the fast-depreciating rupee, but those in the business of receiving alms in dollars are happily counting their rising earnings.
By Rituraj Tiwari, ET Bureau | Updated:
JAIPUR: Outbound travellers and importers may be begging for a respite from the fast-depreciating rupee, but those in the business of receiving alms in dollars are happily counting their rising earnings.
“International tourists sometimes give away alms in foreign currency,” Shanti Devi, a 65-year-old beggar, said, “At prominent tourist attractions like Jal Mahal and Amer fort, we get maximum alms, that too in dollars and euros. Since dollar is gaining strength, our daily earnings are going up.”
The rupee skidded to an alltime low of Rs 52.72 against the dollar on Tuesday. Beggars say they get a daily update on forex fluctuations from tourist guides, who also keep them informed on the itinerary of large groups and even train them on how to communicate with tourists from various parts of the globe.
“We approach these tourists only after getting the signal from the guides,” Bantu Lal, a 56-year-old physically challenged beggar said.
“These guides not only help in evoking emotions in tourists by describing our plight but also suggest to them the amount they should pay.” Lal says the guides duly take their cut from the alms.
“On average, we earn around Rs 200 a day from international tourists, compared with Rs 50 from domestic tourists,” he says, adding that exchanging foreign currency is not an issue and that their local moneychanger is more than happy to provide the service at a cost of Rs 15-20 per dollar.
“International tourists sometimes give away alms in foreign currency,” Shanti Devi, a 65-year-old beggar, said, “At prominent tourist attractions like Jal Mahal and Amer fort, we get maximum alms, that too in dollars and euros. Since dollar is gaining strength, our daily earnings are going up.”
The rupee skidded to an alltime low of Rs 52.72 against the dollar on Tuesday. Beggars say they get a daily update on forex fluctuations from tourist guides, who also keep them informed on the itinerary of large groups and even train them on how to communicate with tourists from various parts of the globe.
“We approach these tourists only after getting the signal from the guides,” Bantu Lal, a 56-year-old physically challenged beggar said.
“These guides not only help in evoking emotions in tourists by describing our plight but also suggest to them the amount they should pay.” Lal says the guides duly take their cut from the alms.
“On average, we earn around Rs 200 a day from international tourists, compared with Rs 50 from domestic tourists,” he says, adding that exchanging foreign currency is not an issue and that their local moneychanger is more than happy to provide the service at a cost of Rs 15-20 per dollar.
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