The Lost Spring – Workbook Answers

I. Read the extract and answer the questions.

Extract 1

"Saheb-e-Alam, which means 'lord of the universe', is a poor ragpicker who scrounges for gold in the garbage dumps
of Seemapuri..."

i. Why is Saheb's name considered ironic?

Answer:​
Saheb's name is considered ironic because it means "lord of the universe," but he lives in extreme poverty as a
barefoot ragpicker.

Board Keywords: Irony, Lord of the Universe, Poverty, Barefoot, Ragpicker

ii. What does Saheb search for in the garbage dumps?

Answer:​
Saheb searches for coins, useful scraps, and other valuable items in the garbage dumps to earn his livelihood.

Board Keywords: Coins, Useful Scraps, Valuable Items, Livelihood

iii. How does the author highlight the contrast between Saheb's name and his reality?

Answer:​
The author highlights the contrast by showing that Saheb's name suggests wealth and power, but he lives as a poor
ragpicker, reflecting the harsh reality of poverty.

Board Keywords: Contrast, Wealth, Power, Poverty, Ragpicker

iv. What social issue is reflected through Saheb's condition?

Answer:​
Saheb's condition reflects social issues such as poverty, child labour, unemployment, and the lack of education
among underprivileged children.

Board Keywords: Poverty, Child Labour, Unemployment, Lack of Education

Extract 2

"I ask one of them why they do not organize themselves into a cooperative..."

i. Why do the glass-blowers hesitate to form a cooperative?

Answer:​
The glass-blowers hesitate to form a cooperative because they fear the moneylenders and middlemen, who may
threaten or exploit them.
Board Keywords: Cooperative, Fear, Moneylenders, Middlemen, Exploitation

ii. What does the phrase 'vicious circle of poverty' signify in the context of Firozabad?

Answer:​
The phrase refers to the endless cycle of poverty, debt, and exploitation in which generations of glass-blowers
remain trapped.

Board Keywords: Vicious Circle, Poverty, Debt, Exploitation, Generations

iii. How does tradition contribute to the misery of the glass-blowers?

Answer:​
Tradition contributes to their misery because families continue the same occupation for generations, leaving little
chance for education or better opportunities.

Board Keywords: Tradition, Generations, Education, Better Opportunities

iv. What broader theme of the chapter is reflected in this extract?

Answer:​
The extract reflects the themes of poverty, child labour, exploitation, and social injustice.

Board Keywords: Poverty, Child Labour, Exploitation, Social Injustice

II. Answer the following questions.

i. Saheb's name means "lord of the universe," yet he is a ragpicker. How does this irony highlight the theme of
poverty in the lesson?

Answer:​
Saheb's name, meaning "lord of the universe," is deeply ironic because he lives in extreme poverty as a barefoot
ragpicker. Instead of enjoying a secure childhood, he searches for coins and scraps in garbage dumps to survive.
Through this contrast, Anees Jung shows how poverty robs children of their education, dreams, and dignity,
exposing the harsh realities of social inequality.

Board Keywords: Irony, Poverty, Ragpicker, Education, Dreams, Dignity, Social Inequality

ii. What does the life of ragpickers in Seemapuri reveal about the failure of social and economic systems in
India?

Answer:​
The lives of ragpickers in Seemapuri reveal that many poor families lack access to education, proper employment,
and basic living facilities. Children are forced into child labour instead of attending school. Their condition shows
how poverty, social inequality, and limited opportunities continue to prevent them from leading a better life.

Board Keywords: Seemapuri, Poverty, Child Labour, Education, Social Inequality, Employment

iii. Why are the glass-blowers of Firozabad unable to break free from the vicious circle of poverty and
exploitation?
Answer:​
The glass-blowers remain trapped because they inherit the same occupation for generations. They suffer from
poverty, debt, and exploitation by moneylenders, middlemen, and factory owners. The lack of education,
awareness, and financial support prevents them from finding better opportunities or improving their lives.

Board Keywords: Poverty, Debt, Exploitation, Middlemen, Education, Generations

iv. How does tradition become a barrier to change in the lives of the glass-blowing families?

Answer:​
Tradition becomes a barrier because children continue their family's ancestral occupation instead of pursuing
education or other careers. Poverty and social pressure leave them with very few opportunities, forcing each
generation to continue the same work and remain trapped in poverty.

Board Keywords: Tradition, Ancestral Occupation, Education, Poverty, Opportunities

v. Anees Jung compares Saheb's dream of going to school with his reality of ragpicking. What does this
contrast suggest about the loss of childhood?

Answer:​
Saheb dreams of going to school, but poverty forces him to work as a ragpicker. Instead of studying and playing, he
spends his childhood searching through garbage. This contrast shows that poverty takes away a child's education,
freedom, and innocence, leaving little room for dreams.

Board Keywords: School, Ragpicker, Poverty, Education, Childhood, Innocence

vi. How could access to education transform the lives of children like Saheb and Mukesh?

Answer:​
Access to education can help children like Saheb and Mukesh gain knowledge, skills, and confidence. It can free
them from child labour, create better employment opportunities, and help them break the cycle of poverty and
exploitation. Education also enables them to live with dignity and hope for a better future.

Board Keywords: Education, Knowledge, Skills, Child Labour, Poverty, Exploitation, Dignity

vii. In what ways does Lost Spring highlight the violation of basic human rights of children?

Answer:​
Lost Spring shows that children like Saheb and Mukesh are deprived of their rights to education, health, safety, and
a happy childhood. Forced into child labour because of poverty, they work in unsafe conditions and face
exploitation, losing the opportunity to fulfil their dreams.

Board Keywords: Human Rights, Education, Childhood, Child Labour, Exploitation, Poverty

viii. In what ways does Lost Spring highlight the violation of basic human rights of children? (Alternate
Answer)
Answer:​
Anees Jung shows that poor children are denied equal opportunities because of poverty and social inequality. Saheb
works as a ragpicker, while Mukesh is forced into the hazardous glass-blowing industry. Their lives show how
child labour deprives children of education, protection, and a secure future.

Board Keywords: Poverty, Social Inequality, Child Labour, Ragpicker, Glass-Blowing Industry, Education

III. Answer the following questions.

i. Saheb's name means "lord of the universe," yet he is a barefoot ragpicker. How does this irony expose the
harsh realities of poverty?

Answer:​
Saheb's name, meaning "lord of the universe," is deeply ironic because he lives in extreme poverty as a barefoot
ragpicker. Instead of enjoying a comfortable life, he spends his days searching for coins and useful scraps in
garbage dumps to survive. His family cannot afford even a pair of shoes, and his dream of going to school remains
unfulfilled. Through Saheb's life, Anees Jung shows how poverty robs children of their education, childhood,
dreams, and dignity. The contrast between his name and his reality highlights the harsh social and economic
inequalities that continue to affect underprivileged children.

Board Keywords: Irony, Poverty, Ragpicker, Barefoot, Education, Childhood, Dreams, Dignity, Social
Inequality

ii. Why are the glass-blowers of Firozabad unable to escape the vicious circle of poverty despite generations of
work?

Answer:​
The glass-blowers of Firozabad remain trapped in a vicious circle of poverty because they continue the same
occupation from one generation to another. Their low wages force them to depend on moneylenders, leaving them
burdened with debt. They are also exploited by middlemen and factory owners, who pay them very little for their
hard work. The lack of education, awareness, and financial support prevents them from finding better opportunities.
Fear of powerful people also stops them from forming cooperatives or demanding their rights. As a result, poverty
and exploitation continue to dominate their lives and pass from one generation to the next.

Board Keywords: Vicious Circle, Poverty, Debt, Moneylenders, Middlemen, Exploitation, Education,
Cooperatives, Generations

iii. How does the lesson highlight the theme of stolen childhood through the lives of Saheb and Mukesh?

Answer:​
In Lost Spring, Anees Jung presents Saheb and Mukesh as symbols of stolen childhood. Saheb spends his days
collecting garbage instead of going to school, while Mukesh works in the hazardous glass-blowing industry from a
young age. Both children are forced into child labour because of poverty, losing the chance to enjoy a carefree
childhood. They are deprived of education, safety, and opportunities to achieve their dreams. However, Mukesh's
dream of becoming a motor mechanic shows his determination to build a better future. Through their lives, the
author highlights how poverty and exploitation rob children of their innocence, dreams, and dignity.

Board Keywords: Stolen Childhood, Poverty, Child Labour, Education, Glass-Blowing Industry, Motor
Mechanic, Innocence, Dreams, Dignity

iv. In what ways could education and social reform break the cycle of poverty and exploitation described in
Lost Spring?
Answer:​
Education can help children gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to secure better employment and improve their
lives. It also creates awareness of their rights, enabling them to resist exploitation and make informed decisions.
Along with education, social reforms such as strict enforcement of child labour laws, vocational training, financial
assistance, and better employment opportunities can improve the lives of poor families. Government welfare
programmes and public awareness can encourage children to remain in school instead of working. Together,
education and social reform can break the cycle of poverty, restore dignity, and help children become self-reliant
citizens.

Board Keywords: Education, Social Reform, Child Labour, Rights, Vocational Training, Poverty, Exploitation,
Dignity, Self-Reliance

NOTICE
D.P. Public Sschool, Nagpur​
14 July 20XX

Articles and Sketches Invited

This is to inform all students that original articles, poems, and sketches are invited for publication in the
school magazine. Interested students should submit their entries to the Student Editor by 30 July 20XX.

OR

Students are invited to contribute original articles, poems, and sketches for publication in the school
magazine. Entries should be submitted to the Student Editor by 30 July 20XX.

Srinidhi​
Student Editor