Kashmir's First 'SMILE' Shelter Home Offers Livelihood Opportunities For Beggars
DC says admin committed to ending begging and ensuring dignified livelihoods.
Srinagar · Health
SMILE Shelter and Rehabilitation Home, Srinagar
The first shelter and rehabilitation home in Jammu & Kashmir under the Union SMILE scheme, opened at Hawal with the NGO Prayas.
The Challenge
Persons found begging in the city had no shelter or rehabilitation route under an organised scheme in the Union Territory.
The Intervention
Implementation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's SMILE scheme in Srinagar, with a shelter and rehabilitation home at Hawal run with the NGO Prayas, opened in January 2025. A substance-abuse rehabilitation and counselling centre at Sanat Nagar was operationalised in February 2025.
Implementation
Identification of persons, shelter, counselling and livelihood support at the Hawal home; the district administration stated that the aim was a dignified livelihood, not only an end to begging.
Outcome
Srinagar was reported as the first district in Jammu & Kashmir to implement the SMILE scheme.
The district administration is committed not only to ending begging but also to ensuring that affected individuals receive the necessary support to earn a dignified livelihood.
Evidence
Related Media
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Visits SMILE shelter home; vocational training for beggars.
Srinagar first J&K district to implement 'SMILE Scheme' for marginalized communities
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Visits SMILE rehabilitation home for beggars.
