LOST SPRING –QUESTION ANSWER
Q1. What is the incongruity of Mukesh’s dream to be a
motor mechanic?
[Link] belongs to a bangle-making family in
Firozabad. His people believe that they have to keep up
with the traditions and that they have to do no other work
other than bangle-making for the auspiciousness of
marriage in the country. But Mukesh wishes to be a motor
mechanic which is out of question in his tradition. Hence
his dreams are incongruous with the societal setup in
which he lives
[Link] was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he
achieve his dream?
OR
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify
your answer.
A2. 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. ‘
Q3. Why does the author say that the bangle makers
are caught in a vicious web?
A3. 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.
Q4. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? How do
you know?
A4. 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.
Q5.'It seems that for children garbage has a meaning
different from what it means to their parents? Explain
A5. In Seemapuri survival means rag picking. The elders
have made it their profession for a fixed wages whereas
for the children rag picking is a game of treasure-hunting.
They work through the garbage with a hope that one day
they would get a silver coin or a ten rupee note from the
garbage heap.
Q6. How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of Saheb,
are both two sides of the same coin?
[Link] and Saheb belong to slums and are forced to
work as children. Saheb is cool and lacks much
determination in life. He is less expressive. Changes
happened to him unexpectedly. Mukesh is determined and
well planned. He is practical too. Unlike the rest of his
people, Mukesh is ready to rebel with the social set up and
is optimistic about his bright future.
Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks, 120-150 words)
Q 7. Give a brief account of life and activities of the
people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.
A7. The author’s acquaintance with Saheb and other
barefoot ragpickers introduced her to Seemapuri. It is a
slum area located on the periphery of Delhi. The residents
of Seemapuri consist 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. About 10000 ragpickers live
here. Their only means of livelihood is ragpicking, and
they treat garbage 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.
Q 8.’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?
A8. ‘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 from 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.
Q9. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful
bangles and make everyone happy but they live and
die in squalor. Elaborate.
A9. 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.
Write answer for the following question in about 30-40 words :
Q10. Why are ‘shoes with a hole’ a dream come true for
Saheb?