Street Children Survive On Porn, Not Food

The capital's homeless are roughly estimated to be around 150,000, of whom 50,000 are children, according to social activists.

Usha Justa, a volunteer with CHETNA, said innumerable tea shops turn into porn parlours at night.

"They loot money from these kids. They show them hardcore porn. These children get totally addicted to it," she said.

"Such activities happen under the very nose of the police," she added.

Most of the children we spoke to said policemen are bribed to look the other way.

"The policemen don't disturb us. They know what we are doing. But as they get money from the owner, they don't bother us," said another teenager, who refused to identify himself.

Justa also said that apart from watching extreme pornography, the children also spend money on video games.

Busy chasing a blue car on the screen, 14-year-old Aman said: "Life on the streets is better than the one I had at home. I ran away as my stepfather used to beat me."

"What we earn, we spend," added his friend Rupesh, 15.

"It is also better to spend whatever we earn in a day. Older boys or men sometimes rob us," he added.

Both of them grudgingly accepted that they are vulnerable on the mean and dangerous streets of the national capital.

"Yes, it is true it is an unpredictable life. But here no one can tell us what to do or what not to do. We live life on our own terms," said Rupesh, who ran away from home as he was nagged by his parents to study.

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