Lost Spring:
Stories of Stolen Childhood
By Anees Jung (1944)
1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come
from?
Saheb is searching for “gold” in the garbage dumps, which metaphorically refers to any
valuable items like coins or useful materials. He resides in Seemapuri, a locality on the
outskirts of Delhi, and hails from Dhaka, Bangladesh. His family migrated to India in 1971
after storms devastated their fields and homes.
2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
The author observes that many children walk barefoot, which some consider a tradition.
However, she suggests that this explanation might be a way to rationalize the persistent
poverty that prevents families from affording shoes.
3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.
No, Saheb is not truly happy working at the tea stall. Although he earns ₹800 per month and
receives all his meals, he has lost his freedom. The steel canister he carries symbolizes the
burden of his new job, contrasting with the carefree life he led while rag-picking.
4. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
Firozabad is renowned for its glass-blowing industry, particularly for producing bangles. It is
a center where families have been engaged in this trade for generations.
5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Workers, including children, often operate in dark, poorly ventilated spaces with high
temperatures. They are exposed to harmful fumes and intense heat, leading to serious health
issues, including loss of eyesight.
6. How is Mukesh's attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Mukesh is determined to break free from the family tradition of bangle-making. Unlike his
family, who have accepted their fate, Mukesh dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. He is
willing to walk long distances to learn the trade, showing his resolve to change his destiny.
1. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
People often migrate from villages to cities in search of better employment opportunities,
improved living conditions, and access to education and healthcare. Natural disasters,
poverty, and lack of resources in rural areas also drive such migrations.
2. Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think
this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Yes, promises made to poor children are often unfulfilled. In the text, Saheb is promised a
school, but it never materializes. Such failures occur due to systemic neglect, lack of political
will, and societal apathy towards the underprivileged.
3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Several factors contribute to the continued poverty of workers in Firozabad's bangle industry:
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• Tradition: Generations have been engaged in bangle-making, making it difficult to
break the cycle.
• Lack of Education: Limited access to education restricts alternative employment
opportunities.
• Exploitation: Middlemen and moneylenders exploit workers, keeping them indebted
and powerless.
• Government Apathy: Lack of effective policies and enforcement of labor laws
perpetuates their plight.
1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?
Mukesh can realise his dream of becoming a motor mechanic through a combination of
determination, education, and external support. His willingness to walk long distances to
learn the trade reflects his commitment. However, he also requires access to vocational
training and mentorship. Non-governmental organisations, government schemes, or
community initiatives aimed at skill development could provide the resources and
opportunities he lacks. Breaking free from traditional constraints and the cycle of poverty
would also require awareness, encouragement from family, and societal support to help him
pursue his chosen path.
2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
The glass bangles industry poses numerous hazards, particularly for children and unskilled
labourers:
• Health Hazards: Workers are exposed to high temperatures, poor ventilation, and
toxic fumes, leading to respiratory issues and even loss of eyesight due to prolonged exposure
to intense heat and glass dust.
• Physical Risks: Accidents like burns and cuts are common while handling hot glass.
• Mental and Emotional Toll: The repetitive, strenuous work stunts mental and
emotional development, especially in children.
• Lack of Legal Protection: Many of these workers are informal labourers with no
access to healthcare, insurance, or job security.
3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Why it should be eliminated:
• Violation of Rights: Child labour denies children their fundamental right to education,
health, and a safe, nurturing environment.
• Hinders Development: It hampers physical, mental, and emotional development.
• Perpetuates Poverty: It keeps children in a cycle of poverty and exploitation, with no
scope for social mobility.
• Loss of Potential: Society loses out on the talents and abilities of a significant portion
of its future population.
How it can be eliminated:
• Strict Enforcement of Laws: Implementing and enforcing child labour laws such as
the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
• Access to Education: Providing free and quality education, mid-day meals, and
incentives to attend school.
• Community Awareness: Educating families and communities about the long-term
benefits of education over child labour.
• Poverty Alleviation Programmes: Addressing the root cause by improving
employment opportunities and income for adults so children need not work.
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• Support from NGOs and Civil Society: Collaborative efforts from NGOs, government
agencies, and communities can rehabilitate child labourers and integrate them into
mainstream society.
1. "Saheb-e-Alam which means the lord of the universe is directly in contrast to what Saheb
is in reality."
Device: Irony
Explanation: The name suggests grandeur and authority, while in reality, Saheb is a poor rag-
picker, highlighting the stark contrast.
2. "Drowned in an air of desolation."
Device: Metaphor
Explanation: The phrase compares the feeling of desolation to drowning, suggesting a
complete, overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
3. "Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically."
Device: Metaphor
Explanation: Though physically close to Delhi, Seemapuri is metaphorically distant due to its
stark contrast in living conditions and development.
4. "For the children it is wrapped in wonder; for the elders it is a means of survival."
Device: Contrast
Explanation: This juxtaposes the children’s curiosity with the harsh reality faced by the
elders, highlighting generational differences in perception.
5. "As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the
sanctity of the bangles she helps make."
Device: Simile
Explanation: The comparison using "like" equates the girl’s mechanical movements to
machine tongs, stressing dehumanisation and monotony.
6. "She still has bangles on her wrist, but not light in her eyes."
Device: Antithesis / Symbolism
Explanation: The contrast between the bangles (a symbol of tradition and womanhood) and
the absence of joy (light) signifies a loss of hope and spirit.
7. "Few airplanes fly over Firozabad."
Device: Symbolism
Explanation: The rare sight of airplanes symbolises the inaccessibility of dreams and progress
for the people of Firozabad.
8. "Web of poverty."
Device: Metaphor
Explanation: Poverty is likened to a web, suggesting entrapment and the difficulty of escape
from its grip.
9. "Scrounging for gold."
Device: Metaphor
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Explanation: “Gold” metaphorically refers to valuable items in garbage, indicating the rag-
pickers’ desperate search for livelihood.
10. "And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the
proportions of a fine art."
Device: Hyperbole / Irony
Explanation: The description of rag-picking as a “fine art” is an exaggerated and ironic
expression, highlighting how a degrading task has become a refined skill out of necessity.
11. "The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his
shoulders."
Device: Symbolism / Contrast
Explanation: The steel canister symbolises the burden of employment and lost freedom, while
the light plastic bag symbolises carefree childhood.
Paradoxes of Beauty and Misery: Real-life Examples
1. Handloom Weavers in India
• Product: Exquisite handwoven silk and cotton sarees, shawls, and fabrics.
• Paradox: Despite producing intricate and world-renowned textiles, many weavers live
in poverty, lack access to education and healthcare, and are trapped in debt.
2. Tea Plantation Workers in Assam and Darjeeling
• Product: Fine aromatic tea consumed globally.
• Paradox: Tea workers often earn meagre wages, live in poor housing conditions, and
lack basic medical facilities, even though the tea they produce fetches high prices in
international markets.
3. Stone Carvers and Sculptors in Rajasthan
• Product: Beautiful marble idols, temple sculptures, and architectural ornaments.
• Paradox: Many artisans suffer from silicosis due to stone dust, lack proper safety
equipment, and are poorly paid for their intricate, labour-intensive work.
4. Diamond Polishing Industry in Gujarat
• Product: Sparkling, high-value diamonds for jewellery.
• Paradox: Many workers, including children in some cases, sit for long hours in poorly
lit rooms and are paid low wages while the diamonds they polish are sold for lakhs or crores.
5. Construction Workers
• Product: Modern high-rise buildings, malls, and infrastructure.
• Paradox: Labourers often live in slums or makeshift shelters beside construction sites,
with no access to clean water, sanitation, or education for their children.
6. Embroidery and Zari Workers in Lucknow and Mumbai
• Product: Luxurious, embellished garments with fine handwork.
• Paradox: Craftsmen and women work in poorly lit rooms, often without proper
ventilation, earning less than what one garment might sell for in a boutique.
7. Carpet Weavers in Kashmir and Bhadohi
• Product: Beautiful, hand-knotted carpets admired worldwide.
• Paradox: Many children and adults in this sector suffer from back, eye, and hand
ailments due to prolonged hours of delicate work, yet live in poverty.