India, Oct. 26 -- Vishal, 14, used to beg, dressed as Bhagwan Shankar at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi. He had become the face of poverty in Varanasi when the German Ambassador had taken a selfie with him in October 2021 and tweeted it. He is now the youngest entrepreneur earning between Rs.30,000 to 50,000 a month, depending on the flow of tourists. He worked as a tourist guide around Dashashwamedh Ghat and Kashi Vishwanath temple. Besides direct payment from tourists, he gets commission from the hotels, local shops, boatmen, Benarsi saree showrooms.

Sonam, a single mother, used to beg with her daughter Khushboo. She learnt tailoring and started stitching bags after the training. She is now living a life of dignity, in a rented house a...