Beg-Err Who???

I was walking down brigade road in Bangalore when a beggar dressed in rather filthy clothes, with disheveled hair (putting it politely) caught my attention. Unlike most others in his very time conscious fraternity that we come across in the city these days, this man seemed to be engaging in more patient dialogue with potential do-gooders. I had a few minutes to kill before I met a friend and so I walked over to the interesting fellow to see for myself, what interesting sermons he had been doling out to his rather awestruck audiences.

Rather young and in his twenties, his large yet droopy eyes, braided hair and black wrap around clothes gave him the aura of one of those much talked about and even more feared thugs that had gained popularity for hypnotizing and looting innocent victims. I paused for a moment, but my curiosity dragged me closer with the exuberance of a playful pony. He'd spotted me and not surprisingly he'd read curiosity.

"Sahab, 10 Rs de do sahab, bahut bhook lagi hai" He requested.
(Sir, please give me 10 Rs, I'm very hungry)

He looked fit and healthy, though slightly deprived, but that was obviously by design. I never subscribed to the idea of distributing money to the young and physically able and so I picked the easy way to say no.

"Paise nahi hain!" (I don't have any money)

"Koi baat nahi sahab, ek minute" (No problem sir, give me a minute) he said as he started fishing into a secret pocket below his waist down wrap around (Lungi). Quickly enough he pulled out a chit of paper and a 5 Rs note and handed me the chit.

"Sahab, iss mein mera bank account no., mera naam, aur IFSC code hai sahab, jab aap ko fursat miley, transfer kar dijiye!" (Sir, this has my account number, name and IFSC code. Whenever you find the time, just transfer the money) He beemed a victorious smile at me, one that had the innocense of a boy. Almost like he'd just discovered a harmless substitute for tobacco. As I stood there baffled, he handed over the 5 Rs note.

My mind yelled withing its walls, WHAAAATT ??!!??!! and as expected I blurted out "Kya???" (What???)
My mouth had gone crooked with obvious shock. This was clearly beyond my imagination. "Haan Sahab, agar paise hote toh aap de dete na?" (Yes, sir, you would've given me the money if you did have it, would'nt you?).

Still too shocked to explain to him my philosophy on charity, I asked, "Aur yeh 5 Rs kis liye?" (And why the 5 Rs?). "Arrey sahab, 5 Rs charge lagega na NEFT ka?, Us liye" (Sir, you'l be charged 5 Rs for the NEFT transfer wouldn't you?) he responded, with the same smile stretched across his face.

Well, jokes apart, that for you, is Financial Inclusion, in skin and flesh. Imagine being able to walk down the street to your "chaat wala" and make his payment through your phone, on the spot.  In a nutshell, financial inclusion means to ensure that every individual has complete access to financial services.

thinkingInfinity.

Disclaimer: The incident narrated is imaginary as most of you might have guessed, and is intended in good humour, to explain, in a light hearted manner as opposed to conventional theory, what financial inclusion means. This is no way intended to ridicule the ideals of the financial inclusion initiatives around the world. Further I would like to express my complete support to the financial inclusion concept. If you enjoyed reading this you can show your appreciation by sharing this with your friends.

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