Hyderabad: Homeless people often refuse to be relocated for various reasons. They fear being tied down by rules and asked to work. Sometimes, they don’t require medical help or a permanent shelter and are instead comfortable simply changing their location. Street children do not like to study and many homeless men are alcoholics.

The other reasons, as told to Deccan Chronicle, are that homes divide men, women and children. Additionally, very few homes in the city provide free services, most charge per bed.

Mallesh, a homeless man, said, “I earn around Rs 50-Rs 150 begging every day and spend it on food, liquor and beedies. Homes do not allow us to earn. They have their own set of rules. On the roads, we have freedom. I earn extra by selling balloons and toys and have friends to help.”

A child on the road said he didn’t want to study or need a home. “I like to stay on the streets with my friends. We roam around the all day, have pani puri and chai. I don’t know who are my parents and how I landed up here but I am happy.”

Purnima Nagaraja, consultant psychiatrist, Dhriti Centre For Psychological Wellness, said, “The surroundings and services at most of the homes that offer free services for the homeless is pathetic. Most of them are treated like slaves. The freedom of the destitute or the orphaned person is curtailed. They are used to begging all day and spending whatever they earn freely. They have enough open spaces in the city to sleep.”

Speaking about children, Ms Nagraja said, “Street children sent to homes are forced to go to school. That is why a lot of them run away or are reluctant to be sent to such places.”

“For children the fun factor is important, and when they are sent to homes, they are made to go to schools and they do not have any way to earn money which they are already used to . That is why a lot of street kids run away or are reluctant to be sent to such places."

Speaking about children, she said, “Street children sent to homes are forced to go to school. That is why a lot of them run away or are reluctant to be sent to such places.”