In India, a man named Bharat Jain has reportedly achieved millionaire status through street begging. Hindered by poverty, he couldn't receive a proper education, so he turned to asking strangers for assistance. Through wise investments, he managed to significantly increase his wealth. Currently, he boasts a net worth of 75 million rupees ($1.2 million) and possesses two apartments valued at 7 million rupees in Mumbai ($114,000).
You would think this is a wonderful rags-to-riches story, but here's the problem: Bharat is still begging for money.
From Mothership:
Bharat was able to earn 2,000 (S$32.56) to 2,500 (S$40.70) rupees by begging 10 to 12 hours a day and 60,000 (S$977) to 75,000 (S$1,221) rupees per month.
With that earnings, he was able to purchase two shops in Thane and collect 30,000 rupees (S$488.39) from rent per month.
He lives in a 1BHK duplex in Parel together with his wife, two sons, brother, and father.
A BHK -- an acronym for "Bedroom Hall Kitchen" -- is a regular flat configuration comprising of bedrooms, hall and kitchen.
Unlike Bharat, his children were able to receive formal education and attend a convent school.
His family members also owned a stationary store, and Bharat was continually advised to stop begging.
Yet Bharat did not heed the advice and continued begging on the streets of Mumbai.
Bharat can still be seen begging at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Azad Maidan in the country's financial capital.
You go from rooting for this guy to feeling absolutely disgusted in a matter of seconds.
It's fantastic that he managed to overcome poverty by capitalizing on the kindness of strangers, but it appears that unabashed greed has now taken control.
