Lost Spring by Anees Jung

Extract

Unaware of what his name represents, he roams the streets with his friends, an army of barefoot
boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon. Over the months, I have come to
recognise each of them.
“Why aren’t you wearing chappals?” I ask one.
“My mother did not bring them down from the shelf,” he answers simply.
“Even if she did, he will throw them off,” adds another who is wearing shoes that do not match.
When I comment on it, he shuffles his feet and says nothing. “I want shoes,” says a third boy
who has never owned a pair all his life. Travelling across the country I have seen children
walking barefoot, in cities, on village roads. It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay
barefoot, is one explanation.

i What is the writer’s purpose in allowing the boys to speak for themselves via dialogue, as
opposed to only a writer’s commentary?
Ans. To give voice to their hopes, dreams, and struggles in a relatable manner.. add authenticity
and realism to the story ...make the account more engaging and memorable for the reader

ii The line, "It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot" can be best classified as:
A. A fact
B. An opinion
C. A theme
D. A plot point

ii B. An opinion

iii Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line, "an army of barefoot
boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon”.

The boys are barefoot suggesting that they are poor and cannot afford proper footwear.
Implies that the boys have shared identity and are lively and energetic as they move around
quickly and unpredictably.

iv Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the writer's association
with the boys is not a recent one.
The line from the text: "Over the months, I have come to recognize each of
them."

v Based on the context provided in the extract, select the most likely comment that the writer
would have made, based on the boy's reaction to the mismatched shoes.
A. "Why are your shoes mismatched? That's not a good look."
B. "Don't worry about your shoes, you can wear a matching pair later."
C. "I like your shoes. What matters is that they protect your feet."
D. "Have you chosen to mismatch your shoes?

Ans C. "I like your shoes. What matters is that they protect your feet."

vi Complete the sentence with ONE word.

The phrase "he answers simply", suggests that the boy's response to the writer's question
about why he wasn't wearing chappals was __________________.
Ans. straightforward / uncomplicated / direct/ clear

What do we come to know about the author of Lost Spring, Anees Jung, through her
interactions with Saheb and Mukesh?

Ans Anees Jung was observant and observed the minutest details. She is moved by their plight
and is sensitive and empathetic. She even feels helpless about her inability to do anything for
them.

(e) How are Saheb and Mukesh different from each other ?
Sahib lost his freedom; lost glow on his face; no longer his own master; lost
his dream. Mukesh dares to dream. He dreams of becoming a motor mechanic.

Do the poor have the right to dream? Why then does the author call Mukesh's dream 'a
mirage'?

Everyone has the right to dream even Mukesh in spite of the challenges of his miserable life. But
his dream is like a mirage as he belongs to a marginalized family of bangle makers
• disliked the profession of bangle making
• wanted to become a motor mechanic
• he lives in such poor conditions that it is impossible for him to learn to drive
a car
• Bound by the tradition family of working in the bangle industry
• working for years in those bangle making mills will make him blind.
• Not equipped to break out of the vicious circle of politicians middlemen etc
• so the dream is compared to a mirage/hallucination

‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ bring out how the common man is a victim of exploitation.
Explain.

Both lessons depict how the common man is oppressed due to lack of awareness, education,
empowerment and money. Lost Spring portrays the plight of skilled and unskilled workers
whose basic needs are neglected. They have miserable living and working conditions and are
caught in a vicious circle. They are oppressed by the people in power. Likewise, Indigo
highlights the plight of sharecroppers who are oppressed by British landlords and are forced to
pay compensation to be free from the long term contract. They have to give huge fees to the
lawyers. They are deprived of proper sanitation facility and do nor have access to schools.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question.1. To which country did Saheb’s parents originally belong? Why did they come to
India?

Answer. Saheb’s parents belonged to Dhaka in Bangladesh, where they lived amidst green
fields. They and the other ragpickers left their homes many years ago and migrated to India in
search of a livelihood, as their homes and fields were destroyed in storms. This forced them to
come to India, where they settled in the slums of Seemapuri.

Question.2. What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy? (All India 2014 Modified)
Answer. Saheb took up work at a tea stall, where he had to perform several odd jobs, including
getting milk from the milk booth. He was not happy, as he had lost his independence. Though he
earned Rs 800, and got all his meals free, he was no longer his own master.

Question.3. In what sense is garbage gold to the ragpickers? (Compartment 2014)

or
Garbage to them is gold; why does the author say so about the ragpickers? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because it provides them items which
can be sold for cash, which can buy them food and is a means of survival. Moreover, it is gold
also because the ragpickers can find stray coins and currency notes in it.

Question.4. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers of Firozabad? (Delhi
2014; Modified)
Answer. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all adversities, whereas the other
bangle makers of Firozabad have resigned to their fate, and have suppressed all their hopes and
desires. Mukesh refuses to follow the ‘God-given lineage’ of bangle making and wants to be a
motor mechanic when he grows up.

Question.5. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the plight of the bangle makers?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the lawmakers, the bureaucrats and
the politicians for the plight of the bangle makers. These people conspire against and exploit the
poor and helpless bangle makers. They pay them meagre wages, do not let them form co-
operatives, and compel their children to join the same trade at an early age.
Question.6. What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream?
Why? Why not? (Compartment 2014)
or
What was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream? (Foreign 2009)
or
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer. (All India 2009)
Answer. Mukesh’s dream is to become a motor-mechanic. It is no doubt difficult for Mukesh to
achieve his dream, as he is torn between his desires and his family tradition, which he cannot
escape. Besides, he has to face a number of obstacles in the form of sahukars, middlemen,
bureaucrats, law makers, politicians etc. However, his will to work hard, and his strong
determination could make him achieve his dream. ‘

Question.7. In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are
not devoid of hope. How far do you agree? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in the slum have
the desire to achieve something big in life, like Mukesh. This shows that they are not devoid of
hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy
cells making bangles, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic, which is very much against his
family tradition.

Question.8. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? (Delhi 2012)

Answer. Mukesh is a child labourer who Works in a glass bangle making factory that is situated
in Firozabad. Though Mukesh belongs to a poor family which is engaged in bangle making, he
dreams of becoming a motor mechanic when he grows up.

Question.9. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a cooperative? (All
India 2012)
Answer. The bangle makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative because they were
trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, up bureaucrats and politicians.
If they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by up the police and put in jail.

Question.10. Mention any two hazards of working in the bangle industry. (Foreign 2011)
Answer. The glass bangle industry has a very unhealthy and hazardous environment. People
working in it have to sit in front of the glass furnaces with high temperature in dingy cells
without air and light. Workers, including child labourers, lose their eyesight at an early age.
Slogging for long, relentless hours also has adverse effects on their bodies.

Question.11. Why does the author say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web?
(All India 2010)
Answer. The bangle makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen,
policemen, law makers, bureaucrats and politicians. They toil day and night, but are not
paid appropriate wages and are steeped in poverty. They cannot form cooperatives for their
betterment. Moreover, their children are also compelled to join the same trade at an early age and
cannot dare to take up any other profession.

Question.12. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? How do you know? (Foreign 2010,
All India 2009)
Answer. Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. He is paid a fixed wage of Rs 800, and also
receives all his meals free. But the author notices that his face has lost its carefree look, which
makes it evident that he is not happy. He has lost his independence, and is no longer his own
master.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question.1. Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like Saheb-e-Alam
settled in Seemapuri. (Delhi 2011)
Answer. The author’s acquaintance with Saheb and other barefoot ragpickers introduced her to
Seemapuri, a slum area located on the periphery of Delhi. The residents of Seemapuri comprise
of people who left Bangladesh in the 1971 war and are basically refugees. Saheb’s family is
among them. The area does not have facilities of sewage, drainage or running water. Around
10000 ragpickers live here their only means of livelihood being ragpicking, and treating rags as
valuable as gold. These ragpickers have lived here for more than thirty years without any
identity. They do not have permits but have ration cards, with which they can get their names on
the voter’s list and also buy grains at subsidised rates.

Question.2.’Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and traditions that condemn
thousands of people to a life of abject poverty. Do you agree? Why/Why not? (All India
2011)
Answer. ‘Lost Spring’ is a good narration of grinding poverty and traditions to which thousands
of people have succumbed. The story revolves around the pitiable condition of poor children
who have been forced to live in slums and work hard in dirty conditions. The story is divided
into two parts. The first part tells the writer’s impression about the life of poor ragpickers who
have migrated froin Bangladesh, but now have settled in the Seemapuri area of Delhi.
The second part narrates the miserable life of the bangle makers in the town of Firozabad. The
stark reality of these families is that in spite of back-breaking hard work that they put in, they
cannot have two square meals a day. Besides, they are victims of exploitation by those above
them and also suffer the consequences of blind belief in traditions.

Question.3. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone
happy but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate. (Delhi 2010)
Answer. Firozabad is the hub of India’s glass-blowing industry where families have spent
generations making bangles to adorn married women. The stark reality of these families is that in
spite of the back breaking hard work that they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day.
They work in deplorable conditions and many lose their eyesight early. To top it all, they live in
unhygienic conditions where there is a lack of basic amenities too.
The sad reality is that the workers cannot organise themselves into a cooperative. They are
devoid of all enthusiasm and do not dare to dream of anything better. The fear of the police and
lack of leadership among themselves have confined them to a vicious circle of poverty,
indifference and greed. Thus, while they bring happiness to everyone’s life, their own life is
steeped in poverty and squalor.

Do the poor have the right to dream? Why then does the author call Mukesh's dream 'a
mirage'?

Everyone has the right to dream-even Mukesh in spite of the challenges of his
Life- But his dream is like a mirage- Mukesh belonged to marginalized family - disliked the
profession of bangle making- wanted to become a motor mechanic- he lives in such poor
conditions that it is impossible for him to learn to drive a car -Bound by the family tradition-
working in the bangle industry- working for years in those bangle making mills will make him
blind. Not equipped to break out of the vicious circle of politicians, middlemen etc- so the
dream is compared to a mirage/hallucination

How are Saheb and Mukesh different from each other?

Sahib lost his freedom; lost glow on his face; no longer his own master; lost his dream; Mukesh
dares to dream; his dream

“Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it,
metaphorically.” Explain.
situated at the outskirts of Delhi, stands a contrast to it, inhabited by refugees from Dhaka, rag
pickers, even children partners in survival, place lacks basic amenities – running water, drainage
system, mud houses with tarpaulin / tin roofs while Delhi – city of all comforts, rich / well off
inhabitants

Garbage to them is gold.’ Why does the author say so about the ragpickers
of Seemapuri ?

It is their daily bread; wrapped in wonder; a ten rupee note or a silver

coin can be found; for elders it is a means of survival

Describe the irony in Saheb’s name.

Saheb-e-Alam-Lord of the Universe-lives as a deprived, poor rag picker-
roams the streets barefoot

Mukesh dares to dream of a different life. What circumstances forced Mukesh

not to pursue his family business of bangle making ?
bangle makers working in furnaces at high temperature in dingy cells without air and light - often
losing eyesight - terrible living conditions - facing health hazards - living in perpetual state of extreme
poverty - vicious cycle created by sahukars, middle men, politicians, bureaucrats and policemen
forcing them back into poverty - mind-numbing toil has killed all initiative and dreams
- inability to form co-operatives - no leader
Describe the life led by the migrants from Bangladesh who are living in
Seemapuri.

Seemapuri
- structures of mud with roofs of tin and tarpaulin
- devoid of sewage, drainage or running water
- house to 10,000 rag pickers
- no identity
- have ration cards that get their names on the voter list
- a life of squalor devoid of all basic amenities

Mukesh finds himself caught between two distinct worlds. How do

they affect his life and that of the other bangle makers ?

The two distinct worlds of bangle 6 marks

makers and exploiters
Bangle makers
- affected by stigma of caste and poverty
- involved in mind numbing work robbing
them of initiative
- belief in destiny not allowing them to
change their condition
- hence living in abject poverty and misery

Exploiters
- not allowing them to form co-operatives
- not allowing leaders to emerge or to take an initiative

Mukesh is different – dares to dream of becoming a mechanic

How is the bangle industry of Firozabad a curse for the bangle

makers?
high temperatures, lack of proper ventilation and light…. long working hours in front of hot
furnace … eyes are more adjusted to dark than light…dust from polishing bangles affects
their eyes ….exploited by moneylenders, police, bureaucrats, politicians… fear of being ill
treated by police .. lack of a leader who can organize them… live in state of intense
poverty… sleep on empty stomach, live in stinky lanes overcrowded with humans and
animals.

The Lost Spring

Saheb is a rag picker from Seemapuri, on the outskirts of Delhi. He picks rags with his family for a living.
Soon after his family reached Seemapuri following a famine in Bangladesh, Seemapuri became his home
and refuge. His mother doesn’t allow him to wear shoes. Sahib is silent. He doesn’t speak very openly
yet he loves to study, he loves to play and he loves to earn more by sacrificing his freedom. Suddenly
one day Saheb abandoned rag picking. He is now working for a tea stall. His work requires him to work
hard, carry a heavy steel canister to the tea-stall for ₹ 800/month. Mukesh is another boy, from
Firozabad. His family works for a bangle making company here. While everyone is a rag-picker in
Firozabad, Mukesh dreams of becoming motor mechanic. It is his only dream in life. He knows it is not
very easy for him to be a motor mechanic yet Mukesh is prepared to challenge his traditions, beliefs,
superstitions; risk his life against the politicians and policemen who work for the company owners.

As we all know, spring is the season associated with optimism and hope. It
also works as a metaphor for the childhood stage of our life. Right from the
time we’re born until late childhood, every child hopes for new beginnings
and a bright future. The phase of childhood is all about innocence, energy,
and tremendous inclination towards outdoors activities along with fun and
play. And playtime does not have any limits. It is also a time of getting more
skill and knowledge and going to school. Here, we take a look at a
particularly impressive rendition – here is the lost spring summary!

The ‘Lost Spring’ written by Anees Jung talks about the national shame of
children being forced to live a life of poverty and exploitation. The main two
protagonists of the chapter, Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh don’t live their
childhood as they have to carry the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their
miserable stories of exploitation, the author provides glimpses of fortitude
and resilience.

About the Author

She is an Indian woman author, journalist and columnist. She belongs to an aristocratic
family of poets.
Her most noted work, Unveiling India (1987) was a detailed chronicle of the lives of women
in India.

Introduction to the Lost Spring Summary

The story, “Lost Spring” deals with the deplorable condition of poor
children who get forced to miss the simple joyful moments of childhood
because of their socio-economic conditions. These children are not given the
opportunity of schooling and are compelled to start working early in life.
The author Anees Jung strives hard to eliminate child labour through her
 book. She propagates the education of children and enforcement of strict
laws against child labour by the government. The message is to put an end
to child exploitation and let all children enjoy their days of the spring and
joy.

Characters of the Lost Spring Summary

 Saheb-e-Alam: A rag picker
 Mukesh: Son of a bangle maker
The Lost Spring Summary
I – Sometimes I find a rupee in the garbage.

The first part talks about the writer’s impressions about the life of the
unfortunate rag pickers. The rag pickers migrate from Dhaka and find a
settlement in Seemapuri. They end up losing their fields and homes due to
storms. They then come to the big city to find a living, but are poor. The
author then watches Saheb, the rag picker, every morning who is always
scrounging for “gold” in her neighbourhood. Garbage is actually the means
of survival for the elders and it is something wrapped in wonder for the
children. Sometimes, the children find a coin or two from it. Even these kids
have desires and ambitions, but they have no clue about how to achieve
them. There are many things that are unreachable to them, for instance,
shoes, tennis and similar stuff. Later on, Saheb starts working at a tea stall
where he earns 800 Rupees and also gets to eat all the meals. But the job
takes away his freedom.

II – I want to drive a car.

The second part is about the life of Mukesh, who comes from the family of
bangle-makers. Firozabad is quite popular for its glass-blowing industry. A
staggering 20,000 children are a part of this business and any law that
forbids child labour is brutally ignored here. Also, the working environment
and the living conditions are pathetic. Children live in dingy cells and work
around hot furnaces that make them blind when they enter adulthood. Since
they are weighed down by debt, they cannot think or find any way to escape
this trap. The politicians, policemen, middlemen and bureaucrats obstruct
their way of progress. Most women in such families think that this is their
fate and just follow the tradition. But Mukesh is very different from the rest
of the folks there. He has dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. The
garage is quite far from his house but he shall walk.