Lost Spring
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Q1. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to
cities?
Ans. People migrate from villages to cities in search of livelihood. Their fields fail to
provide them means of survival. Cities provide employment, jobs or other means of
getting food. The problem in case of the poor is to feed the hungry members. Survival is
of primary concern.
Q2. Would you agree that promises made to the poor children are rarely kept? Why do
you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Ans. The promises made to the poor are rarely kept. The author asks Saheb half-joking
whether he will come to her school if she starts one. Saheb agrees to do so. A few days
later he asks if the school is ready. The writer feels embarrassed at having made a
promise that was not meant. Promises like hers abound in every corner of their bleak
world.
Q3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in
poverty?
Ans. Certain forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in
poverty. These include the moneylenders, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of
law, the bureaucrats and the politicians. Together they impose a heavy burden on the
child.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Q1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?
Ans. Mukesh is the son of a poor bangle-maker of Firozabad. Most of the young men of
Firozabad have no initiative or ability to dream, but Mukesh is an exception. He has the
capacity to take courage and break from the traditional family occupation. He has
strong will power also. He does not want to be a pawn in the hands of the middlemen or
moneylenders. He insists on being his own master by becoming a motor mechanic.
He can realize his dream by joining a garage and learn the job of repairing cars and
driving them. He will have to overcome many hurdles before he succeeds. Then comes
transport problem. Money is the first one. He will have to earn some money himself. The
garage is a long way from his home. He will have to cover it twice everyday anyhow—by
walking on foot.
Patience, hardwork, firm will and the determination to learn will help him realize his
dream.
Q2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans. The glass bangles industry has many health hazards. It usually employs small
children. It is illegal to employ very young children in hazardous industries, but certain
forces like middlemen, moneylenders, police and politicians combine to entrap the poor
workers. Let us first consider the places where bangle makers work. They work around
the furnaces with high temperatures. The dingy cells are without air and light. Boys and
girls work hard during day next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps.
They weld pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to
the dark than to the light outside. That is why, they often end up losing their eyesight before
they become adults.
Glass blowing, welding and soldering pieces of glass are all health hazards. Even the dust
from polishing the glass of bangles adversely affects the eyes and even adults go blind.
Thus, the surroundings, prevailing conditions and the type of job involved-all prove risky to
the health of the workers.
Q3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Ans. Child labour should be eliminated because the children employed at tender age as
domestic servants, dish-washers at road-side dhabas and in hazardous industries
making glass bangles, biris, crackers etc. lose the charm of the spring of their life. Their
childhood is stolen. Burdened by the responsibility of work, they become adults too
soon. Most of them are undernourished, ill-fed, uneducated, and poor. They have a
stunted growth.
Child labour can be eliminated only through concerted efforts on the part of government
agencies, NGOs (Non-Government Organisations), co-operative societies and political
leaders. Mere passing of law will not help. Laws should be enacted faithfully. The
children thrown out of work should be rehabilitated and given proper food, clothes,
education and pocket money. Their feelings, thoughts and emotions should be
respected. Let them enjoy sunshine and fresh air.