Jammu, June 7 -- One of the serious problems afflicting India, including its crown jewel, Jammu & Kashmir, is child begging. The menace continues to raise its ugly head in the Union Territory and puts all of us to shame. Despite being both illegal and immoral, the practice continues to thrive, tarnishing the social fabric of Jammu & Kashmir. Serious and concerted efforts are needed to curb and contain this alarming problem.

Child begging is a socio-economic scourge that must be viewed through the prism of social justice and economic priorities. While it is a pan-India phenomenon, Jammu & Kashmir is no exception. According to Census 2011 data, around 990 children up to the age of 14 were engaged in begging in Jammu & Kashmir, often as a r...