Hyderabad, March 23 :
Hyderabad had dumped its beggars into NGO homes, impounded its stray dogs, and plunged headlong into doing up the city for President Bill Clinton's visit tomorrow.
The city is looking pretty now, but the beggars have clearly been forgotten. The over 1,000 of the undesirables, forcibly evicted from the city corridors six days ago, are in a pitiable state. The city municipal corporation and the social welfare department have shrugged off responsibilities after removing them.
'We are given only one meal and are also not allowed to leave the compounds. We are treated like animals,' says Papaiah, one beggar left near Vanasthalipuram colony.
Oblivious, the city is all decked up, wrapped up in hoardings all along the President's path. A giant billboard put up at the airport by Chandrababu Naidu says: 'Welcome to the city of future, President Clinton'.
Led by the CEO, Andhra.com, IT companies like Indiainfo.com and Y.axis have put up their hoardings near Hitec city. 'Digitally delighted to welcome you,' said the indiainfo.com board. The HUDA (Hyderabad Urban Development Authority) and the Software Exporters' Association of Hyderabad have put up arches and festoons nearby.
The government will also ban entry and movement of heavy vehicles on March 24, it is said. 'The effort is more to contain the American media from providing a negative image to our city,' said a senior state government official.