CBSE Class 12 English Core Flamingo Book Chapter 2 Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Chapter 2, “Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
They have lived here for more than thirty years without an identity, without permits but with ration cards that get their names on voters’ lists and enable them to buy grain. Food is more important for survival than identity. “If at the end of the day we can feed our families and go to bed without an aching stomach, we would rather live here than in the fields that gave us no grain,” say a group of women in tattered saris when I asked them why they left their beautiful land of green fields and rivers. Wherever they find food, they pitch their tents.
(i) The ragpickers have been living there for ____________ decades.
(A) three
(B) four
(C) two
(D) five
Ans. (A) three
(ii) Why do these people have ration cards?
Ans. These people have ration cards to get their names on voters’ lists and enable them to buy grain.
(iii) What do you infer about their lifestyle from the phrase ‘pitch their tents’?
Ans. Their lifestyle is nomadic and transient, as they move frequently in search of food and shelter.
(iv) In spite of the hardships, they are not willing to go back to their homeland because__________.
Ans. They believe that finding food and feeding their families is more important than returning to their fields.
(v) The women had a/an __________ approach towards life.
(A) idealistic
(B) passive
(C) indifferent
(D) practical
Ans. (D) practical
(vi) What does the term ‘go to bed without an aching stomach’ indicate?
Ans. It indicates having enough food to eat and not going hungry.
Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
“Children grow up in them, becoming partners in survival. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it is a leaking roof. But for a child it is even more.”
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Children become partners in survival suggests that ________.
Ans. they are deeply involved in the struggle for basic needs and livelihood, which is a part of their daily lives.
(ii) Rag-picking has acquired the proportion of a fine art means :
(A) artistic bend of mind is required.
(B) it has proportionately displaced art.
(C) it has become a highly skilful activity.
(D) it has discovered pieces of art.
Ans. (C) it has become a highly skilful activity.
(iii) State whether the given statement is True or False with reference to the extract.
The children and their parents have left Dhaka to live in Seemapuri.
Ans. False
(iv) Why does the author say ‘survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking’?
Ans. The author says this because rag-picking is the only means by which the people of Seemapuri can earn their livelihood and survive.
(v) What does the phrase “for a child it is even more” reveal about the children’s dreams?
Ans. It reveals that for children, rag-picking represents not just survival but also a loss of their innocence and dreams, as it becomes their whole world.
(vi) Which of the following headlines suggests the central idea of the extract?
(A) Seemapuri, A Pot of Gold
(B) Rag-picking – Different Perspectives
(C) Art in Delhi and in Seemapuri
(D) Saheb-e-Alam in Seemapuri
Ans. (B) Rag-picking – Different Perspectives
Q3. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
“Why do you do this?” I ask Saheb whom I encounter every morning scrounging for gold in the garbage dumps of my neighbourhood. Saheb left his home long ago. Set amidst the green fields of Dhaka, his home is not even a distant memory. There were many storms that swept away their fields and homes, his mother tells him. That’s why they left, looking for gold in the big city where he now lives.
“I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away.
“Go to school,” I say glibly, realizing immediately how hollow the advice must sound.
“There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.”
(i) Choose the correct option.
The expression ‘scrounging for gold’ refers to
(A) searching for gold items.
(B) looking for something that can fetch money.
(C) rummaging the garbage.
(D) digging to find food to eat.
Ans. (B) looking for something that can fetch money.
(ii) The influence of nature in Saheb’s life was that it _______.
(A) brought prosperity
(B) yielded food for them
(C) gave them home
(D) brought disaster
Ans. (D) brought disaster
(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate word.
Saheb’s conversation with the narrator draws _____ of readers towards Saheb.
Ans. Saheb’s conversation with the narrator draws sympathy of readers towards Saheb.
(iv) Explain one inference that can be drawn from the line “…… realizing how hollow the advice must sound”.
Ans. The narrator understands that advising Saheb to go to school is impractical because there are no schools in his neighborhood, and his immediate need is survival.
(v) The expression ‘when they build one, I will go’ indicates Saheb’s _______ to go to school.
Ans. The expression ‘when they build one, I will go’ indicates Saheb’s willingness to go to school.
(vi) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
‘… his home is not even a distant dream’ states that Saheb sees his home often in his dream.
Ans. FALSE
Q4. Explain the sentence “an army of barefoot boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon.” [40-50 Words]
Ans. The sentence describes the children who come to school early in the morning, much like birds that appear at dawn, and leave by midday, highlighting their transient presence and the daily routine of rag-picking.
Q5. Why is Mukesh’s dream compared to a mirage? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mukesh’s dream of becoming a motor mechanic is compared to a mirage because it seems distant and unattainable due to his impoverished background and the limited opportunities available to him in the oppressive environment of Firozabad.
Q6. In spite of the conditions prevailing in Seemapuri, children like Saheb and Mukesh are not devoid of hope. How far do you agree? [40-50 Words]
Ans. I agree with the statement. In the story we see the ragpicker boy named Saheb-e-Alam who wants to go to school, play tennis and wants a pair of shoes. All these wishes indicate his ambitions. He has desires which shows that he has hopes that they will get fulfilled. Another young boy named Mukesh dares to dream and become a mechanic. He dares to pursue a profession which is different from the traditional family occupation of bangle-making.
Q7. When I sense a flash of it in Mukesh, I am cheered. How is Mukesh’s attitude of life different from that of his family and friends? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mukesh’s attitude is different because he dreams of becoming a car mechanic, whereas his family and friends are resigned to their fate of working in the bangle-making industry. His desire to break free from the cycle of poverty and pursue a different path gives hope.
Q8. Franz in “The Last Lesson” realizes the importance of going to school while Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns to go to school. Write a paragraph exploring the different perspectives of these two young boys on learning and education. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Franz and Saheb offer contrasting perspectives on education that highlight the value and challenges of schooling. In “The Last Lesson,” Franz’s realization of the importance of school comes too late, as he is faced with the harsh reality of losing his opportunity to learn due to the German occupation. His regret underscores how education is often undervalued until it is threatened. Conversely, Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns for school as a means of escape from the harsh life of rag-picking. His desire for education represents hope and a vision for a better future. Saheb’s longing illustrates how education is seen as a pathway to opportunity, reflecting its critical role in transforming lives. While Franz’s experience is shaped by loss and missed chances, Saheb’s perspective is driven by a yearning for change and improvement.
Q9. Compose an oral presentation to be shared with your peers on what Gandhi’s advice (Indigo) would be to the bangle makers of Firozabad (Lost Spring). [120-150 Words]
Ans. Gandhi would advice the bangle-makers to come together and involve in non-cooperation. We see that he employed peaceful means like non-cooperation and self rule to put the idea forward that Indians would not tolerate being ordered around in their own land. Similarly, the bangle-makers should also unite and take steps against the nexus of politicians and money lenders. They must get the weapon of education which will enable them on the path of self reliance and self dependence.
Q10. ‘A Roadside Stand’ and ‘Lost Spring’ depict two contrasting worlds existing in society.
Justify this statement with reference to the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ and the text ‘The Lost Spring’.
You may begin.
social satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Contrasting Worlds in ‘A Roadside Stand’ and ‘Lost Spring’
Social satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society. In ‘A Roadside Stand’, the poet highlights the plight of rural people who set up a stand by the roadside, hoping to earn a living from passing city dwellers. Their aspirations and struggles reflect the stark contrast between urban prosperity and rural poverty.
In ‘Lost Spring’, the focus shifts to the harsh realities faced by children like Mukesh and Saheb, who are trapped in a cycle of poverty and labor. Their dreams and aspirations are crushed by the socio-economic conditions they live in.
These contrasting worlds show the disparity in opportunities, living conditions, and the dreams of people from different strata of society. While one group struggles for basic survival, the other enjoys the fruits of progress and development. Addressing these disparities is crucial for a just and equitable society.
Q11. ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ highlight the apathy of society and exploitation by those in power. Elaborate. [120-150 Words]
Ans. In both the stories we see how the men in power try to exploit the underprivileged. In Lost Spring story one, we see that the ragpickers who have migrated from Bangladesh have settled in a slum colony called Seemapuri. They have access to ration cards only because these enable them to vote for the politicians who lure them with free supplies of small amount of ration every month. Other than this, no one ever bothers about the inhuman conditions in which these slum dwellers live. In the second story we see the bangle-makers of Firozabad who are involved in the traditional work which is harmful for their health and does not fetch enough money too. However, these people have accepted this as their fate and do not dare to break the vicious trap of politicians and money lenders. In the story titled Indigo we see the historical event wherein the poor peasants of Champaran were exploited by the British landowners. The peasants were forced to plant indigo and had to pay entire crop as rent. They even had to pay a compensation. This entire system was crushing the poor peasants who did not have a voice.
Thus, both the stories reflect the societal attitude of exploitation of the poor.
Q12. She gave a little cry of joy. She found a small rattrap, … (The Rattrap)
Saheb-e-Alam received a pair of discarded shoes with a hole in one of them. In spite of this he was very happy.
Compare the joy that both Edla and Saheb experience after receiving their respective gifts. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Edla and Saheb, though from different backgrounds, experience similar joy from receiving gifts that symbolize kindness and hope.
Edla, in “The Rattrap,” is overjoyed to find a small rattrap left by the peddler, along with a note and money he had stolen. This gift represents the peddler’s transformation and redemption, brought about by Edla’s kindness. Her joy stems from witnessing the positive change her compassion has inspired.
Saheb, in “Lost Spring,” receives a pair of discarded shoes with a hole in one of them. Despite the shoes being imperfect, Saheb’s joy is immense because they represent a rare luxury in his impoverished life. The shoes give him a sense of dignity and a small escape from his harsh reality.
Both Edla and Saheb find happiness in these simple gifts because they carry deeper meanings of hope, transformation, and the human capacity for kindness.
Q13. Where the peasants are so crushed and fear-stricken, law courts are useless. The real relief for them is to be free from fear (Indigo). The people of Firozabad (Lost Spring) are fear stricken to form a cooperative as there is a vicious circle of middlemen, politicians etc. These exploiters don’t allow them to take any initiative. You agree that fear is the worst deterrent factor in one’s life.
As a motivational speaker, give a speech advising students how to overcome fear and lead a successful life. Use material from the two texts to support your views.
You may begin like this.
Dear Students,
The emotion of fear will always interfere and interrupt your path to success …… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Students,
The emotion of fear will always interfere and interrupt your path to success. When someone instils fear in us, he wants to fulfil some unlawful targets which will lead to our exploitation. Thus, we have to remain away from such traps and also be alert to identify potential traps. In the story Lost Spring we see the poor oppressed bangle makers who live in utter poverty and accept it as their fate but are so fear-sticken that they do not form a co-operative due to the fear of the politicians and money lenders. They do not dare to do some other work also because they are trapped by these exploiters. Sometimes, people can blackmail us to get their ransom. In such cases, we must not remain cocooned but we need to discuss the issue with our kin or even raise the matter with our parents and teachers. While being fearless, one must be rational and practical too. One must be able to judge and identify if the fear is real of if someone is instilling the fear only to fulfil his motives. The poor peasants of Champaran get rid of their fear when they realize they are strong in number and have the support of outsiders like Gandhiji as well as the local lawyers. This empowers them and they are able to speak up for their rights.
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
“I sometimes find a rupee, even a ten rupee note”, Saheb says, his eyes lighting up when you can find a silver coin in a heap of garbage, you don’t stop scrounging, for there is hope of finding more. It seems that for children, garbage has a meaning different from what it means to their parents. For the children it is wrapped in wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival.
One winter morning I see Saheb standing by the fenced gate of the neighbourhood club, watching two young men dressed in white, playing tennis. “I like the game”, he hums, content to watch it standing behind the fence. “I go inside when no one is around” he admits. “The gate keeper lets me use the swing.”
(i) Saheb found a rupee
(a) on the street
(b) in the garbage dump
(c) in Firozabad
(d) on the tennis court
Ans. (b) in the garbage dump
(ii) Which emotion of Saheb is revealed in the phrase ‘his eyes lighting up’?
(a) anxiety
(b) envy
(c) happiness
(d) greed
Ans. (c) happiness
(iii) For the elders garbage is ____ and for children it is ________.
Ans. a means of survival, while for children, wrapped in wonder.
(iv) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to I and II given below :
- Saheb watches the game from outside.
- Saheb had lost the previous match.
(a) I is true but II is not
(b) II is true but I is not
(c) Both I and II are true
(d) Both I and II are untrue
Ans. (a) I is true but II is not
(v) ‘Scrounging’ in the passage most nearly means.
(a) digging
(b) searching
(c) flinging
(d) burying
Ans. (b) searching
(vi) ‘There is hope for finding more’. Explain with reference to the above extract.
Ans. Saheb says that he finds a rupee or even a ten-rupee note in the garbage sometimes, and when he does find something valuable, his eyes light up with happiness. He adds that even if he finds a silver coin, he doesn’t stop scrounging, because there is always hope of finding more.This implies that despite the fact that Saheb’s family relies on garbage to survive, he is able to find some joy and excitement in the activity of scrounging. The hope of finding more valuable items is what motivates him to continue searching through the garbage, and this hope gives him a sense of purpose and optimism even in difficult circumstances
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
And in dark hutments, next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps, sit boys and girls with their fathers and mothers, welding 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.
(i) Complete the sentence with reference to the extract :
Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside because ____.
Ans. They regularly work in flickering dim lights, in dark hutments so they are more adjusted to the dark.
(ii) Which of the following would NOT be true?
(a) The hutments were shining and inviting.
(b) The children’s lives were as bleak as their surrounding.
(c) There were no electricity connections.
(d) The boys and girls had got used to the dark.
Ans. (a) The hutments were shining and inviting.
(iii) The bangle workers lose their eyesight before they became adults because
(a) they already have poor eyesight.
(b) they work in dim light.
(c) they are married in childhood.
(d) they are malnourished.
Ans. (b) they work in dim light.
(iv) Which of the following most nearly means ‘adjusted’ in the context of the extract?
(a) conditioned
(b) favoured
(c) accepted
(d) reconciled
Ans. (a) conditioned
(v) ‘Flickering oil lamps’ suggests _____.
Ans. The dim lights.
(vi) What is the antonym from the extract of the word ‘rarely’?
Ans. ‘often’
Q3. What vicious circle are the bangle-makers trapped in? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Middlemen and money lenders exploited the bangle makers. They would be beaten and imprisoned if they attempted to organise and form cooperative societies. They lacked leaders who could steer them in a different direction. They were forced to continue their hereditary occupation, which resulted in a lifetime of insufficient food and clothing.
Q4. Why can the bangle-makers not organise themselves into a cooperative? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The bangle-makers cannot organise themselves into a cooperative because they are burdened by the vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation. They lack the resources, education, and collective strength needed to fight the powerful forces that exploit them, including the middlemen and moneylenders.
Q5. The description of Seemapuri creates a very dismal picture. Explain. [40-50 Words]
Ans. Seemapuri is a garbage dump on the outskirts of Delhi. The writer says that it is miles away from the city to indicate that it is strikingly opposite to the city of Delhi in terms of amenities and infrastructure. The slum is occupied by Bangladeshi refugees who came there in 1971. It was then a wilderness devoid of sewage, drainage and running water till date. Thus, we see a dismal picture of the area.
Q6. Firozabad presents a strange paradox — the beauty of the glass bangles and the misery of the people who make bangles. Discuss. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Firozabad, known for its exquisite glass bangles, presents a stark paradox between the beauty of its products and the misery of the artisans who create them. The glass bangles of Firozabad are admired for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, symbolizing beauty and tradition. However, the lives of the bangle-makers are marked by extreme poverty, hazardous working conditions, and exploitation.
These artisans, including children, work in dimly lit, poorly ventilated workshops for meager wages. They are exposed to dangerous fumes and risk losing their eyesight and health. Despite their hard work, they remain trapped in a cycle of debt and exploitation, unable to break free and improve their living conditions. The contrast between the sparkling bangles and the bleak reality of the bangle-makers’ lives underscores the social and economic injustices they face. This paradox highlights the need for social reforms and better working conditions to uplift the lives of these skilled but oppressed workers.
Q7. ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ bring out how the common man is a victim of exploitation. Explain. [120-150 Words]
Ans. It is common knowledge that claims made regarding inheritance or lineage cannot be contested. It is a known fact that we, as human beings, do not possess the capabilities necessary to successfully contest our own destinies.
In the novel “Lost Spring,” the families of children like Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh are caught in an unbreakable cycle of social stigma, which manifests itself in the form of poverty and exploitation. They are compelled to obey and follow the powerful, and they are unable to organise themselves into cooperative organisations for their own advancement.
In the same manner, the low-income sharecroppers in ‘Indigo’ were denied their right to legal representation. At each and every turn, they were subjected to harassment at the hands of government personnel, and the police did not listen to their concerns. In many cases, the legal system is ruled by repressive laws that have the effect of dampening the spirit of the common man. They lack the bravery to speak out against what they perceive to be unjust transactions, and their legal battles result in a lack of clarity. Both ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ demonstrate how the average man is a victim of exploitation as a result of this.
Questions that appeared in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. What change occurs in Saheb’s life? Is it a change for the better or worse? [30-40 words]
Ans. Saheb now has a steady source of income. He is paid 800 rupees every day and receives all of his meals. As a result, food is not an issue. However, the casual expression on his face has vanished. The steel canister he’s holding suddenly feels like a burden. He is no longer in charge of himself. He would have to work longer shifts. He is depressed by his inability to undertake things on his own initiative.
Q2. How bad were the living conditions in which Mukesh and his family survived? [30-40 words]
Ans. They lived in utter poverty. Stinking lanes choked with garbage led to the house with a wobbly door. Humans and animals co-existed and it was a half-built shack. The walls were damaged and the entire family – Mukesh, his brothers, their wives and the parents lived in a small single room.
Q3. How was Saheb’s life at the tea-stall? [30-40 words]
Ans. Shahid got a job at a tea stall where he earned eight hundred rupees a month and got daily meals as well. However, he had lost the freedom that he had enjoyed while rag picking.
Q4. For Saheb, how was work at the tea stall different from rag picking? [30-40 words]
Ans. At the tea stall, Saheb worked for the owner of the stall. He was no longer his own master and lost the carefree look. The job assured a monthly pay and daily meals but took away his freedom.
Q5. Mention any two difficulties faced by the bangle sellers of Firozabad. [30-40 words]
Ans. The bangle-makers of Firozabad have to work in unhealthy conditions which harm their health permanently. They do not earn much and are forced into a vicious cycle of poverty controlled by the moneylenders, police and politicians. They do not dare think of following any other profession due to the fear of these powerful people.
Q6. What explanation did the children offer the writer for not wearing footwear? Did she agree to it? [30-40 words]
Ans. They gave various reasons – one said that his mother did not get the chappals down from the shelf and the other said that even if she did get them, the boy would have thrown them off.
Q7. Life of the bangle makers of Firozabad shows the grinding state of poverty and traditions that condemn thousands of people to live a life of misery. Elaborate. [120-150 words]
Ans. Through the story of the bangle-makers of Ferozabad, the author expresses her concern over their exploitation in the hazardous job of bangle-making. Extreme poverty, hard work and dismal working conditions result in the loss of the childhood of children who are in this profession. The working conditions of all bangle-makers are pathetic and miserable. They work in high temperature, badly lit and poorly ventilated glass furnaces due to which child workers especially are at risk of losing their eyesight at an early age and get prone to other health hazards. The stinking lanes of Ferozabad are choked with garbage and humans and animals live together in these hovels. There is no development or progress in their lives with the passage of time. They have no choice but to work in these inhuman conditions. Mind-numbing toil kills their dreams and hopes. The vicious circle of moneylenders and politicians does not allow them to form co-operatives or take up alternate professions. They are condemned to live and die in squalor, subjected to a life of poverty and perpetual exploitation.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. Describe the irony in Saheb’s name. [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Saheb-e-alam is a ragpicker but his name means the king of the Universe. This is ironical because Saheb’s life is exactly opposite to that of a king. He just scrounges heaps of garbage in search of any useful things like torn shoes, clothes and coins.
Q2. What change did Saheb feel working at the tea shop? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Saheb before was a rag-picker by chance he got a job to work at the tea stall down the road. There he was paid 800 ruppes & all his meals. But his face lost his care free look. We were no longer his own master. The steel milk canister seemed heavier than the the plastic bag. It belonged to his teamster and the life under the master was not a life a happiness.
Q3. What is Mukesh’s dream? How can he achieve it? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Mukesh dreams to be a motor mechanic. He does not want to go for the traditional profession of glass bangle-making which harms their health and does not provide much income. He plans to learn to drive a car, go to a garage and learn the work of a motor mechanic. He is ready to walk to the garage which is far from his home.
Q4. What are the two most admirable qualities in Mukesh? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Two admirable qualities in Mukesh are that he dares to dream and is focused on achieving them. Mukesh refuses to accept his destiny as a bangle-maker like his father and ancestors. He is ready to walk the long distance from his house to the garage were could learn to be a motor mechanic which he aims to be.
Q5. ‘Garbage to them is gold.’ Why does the author say so about the ragpickers of Seemapuri? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The author says that Garbage is like gold for the ragpickers metaphorically to indicate that just like gold is precious for the common man, garbage is precious for the ragpickers. It is a source of wonder and a means to fulfil their dreams. At times, while scrounging through the heaps of garbage, they find precious articles which are as valuable to them as gold. They look for discarded pairs of shoes, clothes, and even a coin or two. The ragpickers can not afford to buy such articles and so, these garbage dumps are the only means to fulfil their desires.
Q6. “Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Explain. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. The story ‘Lost Spring’ revolves around the pathetic lives of the poor children who live in the slums and work in unhygienic conditions. Seemapuri is a slum area on the periphery of Delhi with a settlement of more than 10,000 rag pickers. Those who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. They live in the structures of mud with roofs of tin or tarpaulin, devoid of sewage systems, drainage or running water. One may think that the life of people living on the periphery of the national capital must be very easy-going, rich and good but it is all opposite. They have no identity or permits except ration cards as food is more important to them than any identity. Children grow up only to become the supporters of their parents in survival. To them, garbage means gold. It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads. It is a gift for them because whenever they find some silver coin in a heap of garbage, they hope to survive on it for some days.
Q7. What kind of life did children living in Seemapuri lead? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Seemapuri is a settlement of more than 10,000 rag pickers situated on the periphery of Delhi. The people living there have migrated from Bangladesh. They lived in the structures of mud with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. They did not have any identity or permits. Their children also helped them in earning their livelihood. Saheb was one of the children who lived here. He was from a poor family of Bangladesh. In order to earn their livelihood, his family shifted to Delhi where they settled in Seemapuri. But when they found no work to do, they became rag pickers. They had to search the garbage like others for something to make their livelihood. Sahib, whose age was to enjoy the life, go to school and live his childhood, also looked into the heaps of garbage for some coins. It was a tedious task as they used to leave their houses barefoot early in the morning with a bag on their shoulders. They did not have chappals, so they were not in a habit to wear them. Because their fields and homes were swept away in the flood in Bangladesh, so they came to the big city with a hope but even here they led a miserable life.
Q8. What are the hazards of working in a glass bangle industry? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. The workers in glass bangle industries have to work around hot furnaces, welding glass. Although it is illegal for children to work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures in dingy cells without air and light, these children slog the daylight hours and often lose the brightness of their eyes. They end up losing their eye sight before attaining adulthood. The workers go blind with the dust emanated from polishing of the glass bangles. Thus, the profession harms them physically.
Q9. Mukesh dares to dream of a different life. What circumstances forced Mukesh not to pursue his family business of bangle making? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Mukesh dreamt of becoming a car mechanic. He dared to dream to follow a different profession because he realized that the glass bangle industry harmed the workers’ health ahd did not provide them with sufficient money either. Thus, he wanted to breakout of the vicious circle created by the moneylenders and politicians. Mukesh wanted to do something different so that he could earn more money and improve the living standards of his family.
Q10. Mukesh finds himself caught between two distinct worlds. How do they affect his life and that of the other bangle makers? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Mukesh is caught between his dreams and his reality. His dreams inspire him to progress in life but his reality does not let anyone dream beyond the family traditions. He is caught in a dilemma to choose between his dreams and the family’s traditional profession. Mukesh aspires to become a car mechanic and learn driving. This way he can improve the living standards of his family. However, the family elders cannot dare to dream of following any other profession than the traditional work of glass bangle making. They are caught in a vicious trap of the greedy moneylenders and powerful politicians but cannot gather the strength to break free. Any such attempts like Mukesh’s are also trampled by the men in power.
Q11. Describe the life led by the migrants from Bangladesh who are living in Seemapuri. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. The migrants from Bangladesh settled on the outskirts of Delhi in a slum called Seemapuri. They migrated in the year 1971 when their fields and homes were destroyed by storms. These migrants do ragpicking to earn a living. They live in structures made of mud with roofs of tin or tarpaulin. There is no sewage, drainage or running water supply in the locality. For more than thirty years around ten thousand migrants have been living here in such inhuman conditions. They have been given ration cards which enable their names to be added to the voter’s list. In return for their votes the politicians provide them some ration to eat. For these poverty ridden people, getting food to fill the stomach is the biggest priority and garbage is their means of survival as well as means of wonders.
Also see:
Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood Summary, Explanation
Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood MCQs
Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood Character Sketches