Beggars learn new language to cash in on sporting event

CHENNAI, India: Beggars in the Indian capital are eyeing a windfall from tourists during next year's Commonwealth Games and some are learning to ask for alms in foreign languages, according to local newspaper report yesterday.

"More than one lakh (100,000) foreigners will be in the city during the period," Vijay Babli, reported by Hindustan Times as the leader of over 1,200 beggar families living in New Delhi's Rohini's Lal Quarter, told the paper.

"Even if one beggar earns 150-200 rupees per day ($3-4), you can understand the turnover for us," he added.