(8.) A special feature in the system would be the introduction of the ancient Buddhist custom of “meetihal,” or “the consecrated handful of rice.”  This is as follows.  A pot is kept in each home and a handful of grain is put into it every time the family meal is cooked.  We think that there would be no difficulty in getting this custom universally adopted, when it was understood that the proceeds would be devoted entirely to feeding the destitute.  I believe that the income derived from this alone would in course of time be sufficient to meet the needs of the destitute in any city in India, at the same time that it would serve to equalise and therefore minimise the burden which now rests chiefly on a comparative few.

(9.) In case the food supply thus obtained should be insufficient, we have little doubt that we could persuade leading merchants in the city to club together and make up the difference, when they saw the good work that was going on.

Such in brief is a skeleton of the scheme for elevating and renovating the Beggar population of India.  It is no doubt open to criticism on some points, but it has special advantages which I will proceed to point out, apologising for the extra space I am obliged to occupy, in dealing with this subject, on account of its novelty and importance, and in order that I may be thoroughly understood.

1. It is conservative. Here you have a reformation without a revolution, or rather a revolution by means of a reformation.  And yet there is no attempted upheaval of society.

2.  It is thoroughly Indian, and suited to the national taste.

3.  It costs nothing and may even prove in time a source of income to the Social Scheme.

4.  It is doubly economical since it uses the human waste in collecting what would be the natural wastage of the city, and devotes each to the service of the other.

5.  It is systematic and therefore bound to be as immensely superior to the present haphazard mode, as a regular Army is to an undisciplined mob.

6.  It unites the advantages of moral suasion, with those of the most perfect religious equality and toleration.

7. It saves the State an enormous expenditure and avoids the necessity for harsh, repressive, unpopular legislation, and increased taxation.

8. It benefits the public.

    (a) It removes a public nuisance.

    (b) And yet it satisfies the public conscience.

    (c) It stimulates private charity, and directs its generosity into
        wise and beneficial channels.

9. It benefits the beggars.

    (a) It protects the weak from the painful and often unsuccessful
        struggle for existence.

    (b) It ensures everybody their daily food and a sufficiency of it.

    (c) It restores their self respect.