Chapter 2: Lost Spring – Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions

Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 2 Lost Spring

Lost Spring NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?

Saheb is searching for valuable items or money among the garbage dumps. He lives in Seemapuri, a place on the outskirts of Delhi, and has migrated from Bangladesh in search of a better life.

Question 2: What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

The author provides two explanations for the children’s bare feet. First, it is suggested that the children are not without shoes because of poverty but rather due to a tradition of going barefoot. However, the author also implies that this is a convenient excuse for the ongoing cycle of poverty that these children live in, where they are unable to afford footwear due to their financial circumstances.

Question 3: Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.

Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. Despite earning a regular income, he has lost the carefree expression he once had, and he is no longer his own master. Unlike before, when he had the freedom to roam and make his own choices, Saheb is now bound to a daily routine. This shift indicates that he is not content with his current situation.

Lost Spring Think as you read (Page 20)

Question 1: What makes the city of Firozabad famous?

The city of Firozabad is renowned for its bangle-making industry. Almost every family in Firozabad is involved in the production of glass bangles, making it a hub for this craft.

Question 2: Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry?

Working in the glass bangles industry is both physically demanding and harmful to health. The workers, particularly children, endure the extreme heat from the glass furnaces and work in poorly lit, stuffy environments with no proper ventilation. The continuous exposure to such harsh conditions can severely damage their eyesight, leading to the loss of vision in many cases.

Question 3: How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?

Mukesh has a different outlook on his future compared to his family. While his family has been involved in bangle-making for generations, he dreams of breaking free from this cycle. Mukesh aspires to become a motor mechanic, which reflects his desire to escape the traditional bangle-making work and pursue a new path.

Lost Spring Understanding the text

Question 1: What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?

Many people migrate from villages to cities in search of better livelihood opportunities. In villages, agricultural land is often limited, and as families grow, they cannot sustain all members within the agricultural profession. As a result, they move to cities to find work. Additionally, frequent natural disasters, such as storms that destroy their fields and homes, force them to migrate to urban areas. Moreover, the allure of the facilities and opportunities provided by city life, such as the presence of large industries offering employment, attracts many villagers. Some individuals also move to cities to work in sectors like rickshaw pulling, auto rickshaw driving, or dairy farming, which provide a better income.

Question 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?

It is often the case that promises made to poor children are not kept. In the text, for example, the author promises Saheb that he could attend school. However, when Saheb points out that there is no school in his neighborhood, the author jokingly says that if she starts a school, he could come. Such promises are not made with seriousness and are often “half-jokingly” made. Saheb, like many other poor children, takes these promises seriously, asking if the school is ready. This illustrates the recurring issue where promises made to poor children are seldom fulfilled, either due to a lack of sincerity or because of excuses like insufficient resources. Similarly, the promises made by governments or agencies to improve the lives of poor children are rarely realized, leading to continued hardship.

Question 3: What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

Firozabad is renowned for its bangle industry, where generations of families have worked making glass bangles. Despite the large number of workers, including around 20,000 children, the workers in this industry are trapped in a cycle of poverty. These workers struggle to provide adequate food for their families or send their children to school, with many never experiencing a full meal in their lifetime. A significant factor keeping them in poverty is the exploitative system of middlemen who take away most of their earnings. The workers are ensnared in a “web of poverty” created by the collaboration of moneylenders, middlemen, law enforcement, bureaucrats, and politicians. This cycle of exploitation is passed down from one generation to the next, ensuring that the workers remain trapped in their impoverished conditions.

Lost Spring Talking about the text

Question 1: How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?

Mukesh hails from Firozabad, where every other family is involved in the bangle-making industry. His family has been in this profession for generations, but Mukesh has a different dream. He aspires to become a motor mechanic instead of continuing the family trade. Mukesh’s desire is understandable, given that despite working tirelessly in unhealthy and dangerous conditions, his family remains in poverty, struggling even to meet basic needs. In my opinion, Mukesh can achieve his dream due to his strong determination and willpower. Though his family may oppose his decision to leave the bangle-making profession, I believe Mukesh will overcome their resistance. He has valid reasons to convince them that his dream will benefit both himself and his family. Apart from the economic benefits, becoming a motor mechanic would also improve his health, as he would avoid the risks of eye problems that come with working in the bangle industry.

Question 2: Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Working in the glass bangles industry is physically demanding and hazardous to health. Workers labor in extreme heat near furnaces, in poorly ventilated spaces that lack light and air. They also inhale harmful particles from the materials used to make the bangles. The continuous, grueling work in such unhealthy conditions takes a toll on their health, particularly affecting their lungs and eyes. Many children working in the industry lose the brightness in their eyes, as they are exposed to these risks from a young age.

Question 3: Why should child labour be eliminated and how?

Child labour is a serious issue that hinders human progress and dignity. Unfortunately, it has been widespread across both developed and developing nations for centuries. Even countries like England, in the past, had child labour issues. Today, many countries, including India, have passed laws to eliminate this problem, but child labour still persists in some industries. Child labour thrives in industries like carpet making, bangle production, and beedi-making, where children are exploited to perform unskilled tasks. While laws banning child labour are in place, enforcement remains a challenge in many sectors. To completely eliminate child labour, it is not enough to impose legal restrictions alone. We must also foster awareness about its harmful effects on society. Children should have the opportunity to attend school and develop into well-rounded, productive individuals. Addressing the root cause of child labour, which is poverty, is essential. Thus, in addition to free education, children should be provided with stipends, scholarships, and other support to ensure that they can attend school without the need to work. By taking these steps, we can help children escape the cycle of poverty and prepare them for a better future.

Lost Spring – Things to Do

Question 1. Paradox in Nature

• (i) Contrast presented in nature.
• (ii) There are roses, lilies, and lotuses.
• (iii) Paradoxically, there are thorns and cacti.

Question 2. Human-made Paradoxes

• (i) Miserable life of carpet weavers, who produce beautiful carpets.
• (ii) Poor bangle makers.
• (iii) Miserable and poor construction laborers, who build beautiful buildings and houses.

Question 3. Miserable Plight of Construction Labor

• (i) Work laboriously day and night.
• (ii) In all seasons—very hot and very cold.
• (iii) Risk their lives.
• (iv) To enable rich people to live comfortably.

Question 4. Where They Live?

• (i) Those who make splendid buildings.
• (ii) Where others live.
• (iii) They themselves live in shabby houses.

Lost Spring Extra Questions and Answers Lost Spring Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1: What did garbage mean to the children of Seemapuri and to their parents? Or In what sense is garbage gold to the rag pickers? Or ‘Garbage to them is gold.’ Why does the author say so about the rag pickers?

Answer: Garbage means ‘gold’ to the poor rag pickers because some of it can be sold for cash, thus becoming a means of survival for the children of Seemapuri and for their parents. It is providing them their daily bread and a roof over their heads.

Question 2: What does Saheb look for in the garbage dumps? Or What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?

Answer: In the garbage dumps, Saheb looks for useful items which can be sold for cash. As these items can be traded for money, they are just like ‘gold’ for him. Saheb and his family live in Seemapuri, a slum on the periphery of Delhi. His family had migrated from Bangladesh.

Question 3: “It is his karam, his destiny.” What is Mukesh’s family’s attitude towards their situation? Or How is Mukesh different from the other bangle-makers of Firozabad? Or How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?

Answer: Mukesh’s grandmother says this, as she believes in destiny, meaning that their family cannot escape from their God-given lineage of bangle-makers and will remain bangle-makers, continuing to suffer. But Mukesh has the courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.

Question 4: How was Saheb’s life at the tea stall? Or What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy? Or Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.

Answer: Saheb took up the job of performing odd jobs at a tea stall, but was unhappy because he was tied down by the work he had to do, thus losing his independence, which he had earlier as a rag picker.

Question 5: Describe Mukesh as an ambitious person.

Answer: Mukesh is an ambitious person because he wants to become a motor mechanic by breaking free from the vicious web of generations of families being involved in bangle-making. He has the courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.

Question 6: What kind of gold did the people of Seemapuri look for in the garbage? (Lost Spring)

Answer: The people of Seemapuri look for items in the garbage which can be traded for money, meaning ‘gold’, as it helps them earn their daily bread and have a roof over their heads. For a child, garbage may mean something wrapped in wonder, whereas for the elders it is a means of survival.

Question 7: Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri? Or To which country did Saheb’s parents originally belong? Why did they come to India? Or Why did Saheb’s parents leave Dhaka and migrate to India?

Answer: Once Saheb’s parents lived in Bangladesh, amidst the green fields of Dhaka. There were many storms that swept away their fields and homes. That’s why they migrated to Delhi and settled down in Seemapuri looking for an occupation.

Question 8: Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the bangle-makers?

Answer: Anees Jung blames the vicious circle of the sahukars (moneylenders), middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle-makers. They don’t allow the bangle-makers to organise themselves into a cooperative.

Question 9: What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why? Why not? Or Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? Or Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer. Or What was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream? Or Why is Mukesh’s dream of learning to drive a car a mirage?

Answer: Mukesh belongs to the bangle-makers of Firozabad where each family is engaged in bangle-making. On asking, Mukesh says, “I will be a motor mechanic. I will learn to drive a car.” Thus, he wants to be his own master. However, because he is caught up in the vicious cycle created by others, he will not be able to realize his dream and will remain a bangle-maker.

Question 10: In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of hope. How far do you agree?

Answer: In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in slums have the desire to achieve something big in life. This shows that they are not devoid of hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells making bangles, dreams of becoming a motor-mechanic, against his family tradition.

Question 11: Why could the bangle-makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?

Answer: The bangle-makers could not organize themselves into a cooperative because they were trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians, who exploited them. If they tried to organize themselves, they would be beaten by the police and put in jail.

Question 12: Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Answer: The glass bangles industry has a very hazardous working environment. People work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light. Most end up losing their eyesight even before they become adults. Adding to their misery, they are caught in a vicious circle of people who exploit them.

Question 13: Why does the author say that the bangle-makers are caught in a vicious web? Or What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

Answer: The bangle-makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the law makers, the bureaucrats and the politicians. Thus they remain 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, thus remaining in the vicious web.

Question 14: What does the title ‘Lost Spring’ convey?

Answer: Spring is associated with childhood. Just as spring is the season when flowers bloom, similarly, childhood is the period when an individual blooms and grows. Anees Jung here presents the horrific truth about the life of children in India who are victims of child labor and are not allowed to grow and bloom freely. Their childhood or springtime is lost.

Question 15: What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

Answer: Some of the children simply do not care to take the trouble of taking their slippers down from the shelf to wear them. Another explanation she receives is that not wearing footwear is a tradition. However, she feels that it is simply an excuse for not going to the school as they are deprived of proper education.

Question 16: Why do the rag-pickers of Seemapuri continue to search for gold in the garbage?

Answer: The rag-pickers of Seemapuri continue searching for gold in the garbage because they have no other means of survival. For them, the garbage is a source of income that provides food, shelter, and basic necessities. Their difficult circumstances force them to dig through the trash, hoping to find something valuable, which they can sell to make a living.

Question 17: What is the significance of the statement, “Saheb is happy not because he has found gold, but because he has freedom.”?

Answer: The statement signifies that Saheb’s happiness lies in his freedom rather than in material wealth. As a rag-picker, he is free to roam around and search for valuable items at his own pace. Unlike those bound by rigid jobs or traditional expectations, Saheb values his autonomy, which gives him a sense of liberation, even though it does not translate into wealth.

Question 18: What does Saheb’s changing role in the tea stall symbolize in the story?

Answer: Saheb’s changing role in the tea stall symbolizes the loss of his freedom and independence. By working at the tea stall, Saheb becomes like the other children in the city, constrained by the demands of an employer. This job removes the spontaneity of his earlier life as a rag-picker and forces him into a structured, less liberated existence.

Question 19: Why does the author compare the bangle-makers of Firozabad to prisoners?

Answer: The bangle-makers of Firozabad are compared to prisoners because they are trapped in a cycle of exploitation and poverty. Despite their efforts, they are unable to break free from their hereditary profession. They are bound by societal norms, legal restrictions, and economic factors that prevent them from improving their conditions. Their lives are controlled by others, much like prisoners in captivity.

Question 20: What role do the politicians and middlemen play in the lives of the bangle-makers?

Answer: The politicians and middlemen play a significant role in the oppression and exploitation of the bangle-makers. The politicians turn a blind eye to their suffering, while the middlemen extract the profits from the work done by the bangle-makers. This exploitation prevents the bangle-makers from organizing themselves and improving their situation, ensuring that they remain trapped in their current state of poverty.

Lost Spring Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1: Describe the difficulties the bangle makers of Firozabad have to face in their lives. Or Describe the circumstances which keep the workers in the bangle industry in poverty.

Answer: The bangle makers of Firozabad endure severe health risks while working. Many are children who are exposed to extreme heat from furnaces, often leading to permanent blindness by the time they reach adulthood. Years of backbreaking labor have drained them of any hope of pursuing a different profession. They cannot form a cooperative due to exploitation by politicians, authorities, moneylenders, and middlemen. Their homes are situated in filthy lanes filled with garbage and are overcrowded and dilapidated. Their poverty is extreme, and they struggle even to afford one full meal a day.

Question 2: How is Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation different from that of Saheb? Why?

Answer: Mukesh is determined to break away from the traditional occupation of bangle-making and become a motor mechanic. He is ambitious and shows courage to dream. On the other hand, Saheb initially accepts his fate as a ragpicker and finds a sense of independence in it. However, when he takes a job at a tea stall, he loses that freedom and becomes unhappy. Mukesh’s hope and ambition set him apart from Saheb’s resigned attitude.

Question 3: Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.

Answer: People in Seemapuri live in extreme poverty in makeshift huts made of mud, tin, and tarpaulin. There is no sewage, drainage, or running water. Most residents are refugees from Bangladesh who survive by ragpicking. Garbage is their only means of livelihood. Despite living in India for decades, they lack legal status. However, many have ration cards which allow them access to subsidized food. Their lives are hard, but they hold onto hope each day as they search the garbage dumps for anything of value.

Question 4: ‘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?

Answer: Yes, the chapter paints a realistic picture of how traditions and poverty keep people trapped in misery. The stories of Saheb and Mukesh illustrate how poverty, lack of education, and societal structures prevent children from living a normal childhood. In Firozabad, generational bangle-making prevents any real change. In Seemapuri, children scavenge through garbage for survival. These stories reflect the bitter truth that opportunities are inaccessible to the poor due to systemic failure.

Question 5: The bangle-makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate.

Answer: The workers in Firozabad create beautiful bangles that symbolize joy and marriage in Indian culture. However, their own lives are full of suffering. They work in unhygienic, dark, and hot conditions. Exposure to harmful glass particles ruins their eyesight and health. Despite the value of their work, they receive meager pay and live in poverty, exploited by a network of middlemen and politicians. Their lives reflect the irony of creating beauty while living in filth and hopelessness.

Question 6: “Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Explain.

Answer: Though Seemapuri is geographically close to Delhi, metaphorically it is worlds apart due to its extreme poverty and lack of basic amenities. Unlike Delhi’s affluence, Seemapuri lacks sanitation, clean water, and electricity. It is a symbol of neglect and socio-economic disparity. Its people survive on garbage, completely disconnected from the progress and prosperity of the capital city.

Question 7: 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?

Answer: Yes, promises made to poor children are often empty and not fulfilled. In the text, the author casually tells Saheb about opening a school, which he takes seriously. This reflects how poor children are often given false hope. These broken promises are due to indifference, lack of accountability, and a failure to act on good intentions. Society often fails to uplift the underprivileged, leaving them stuck in poverty.

Question 8: ‘Saheb is no longer his own master.’ Comment.

Answer: As a ragpicker, Saheb was free to choose his hours and roam the streets. However, after taking a job at a tea stall, he loses that freedom and becomes bound by routine and responsibility. Though he earns more, he loses his sense of autonomy. This change reflects a shift from a carefree life to one of imposed discipline, making him feel trapped and less happy.

Question 9: How in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?

Answer: Mukesh can realize his dream of becoming a motor mechanic through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He should seek apprenticeships in garages and learn on the job. Education and skill development programs by the government or NGOs can also help him. His determination is a strong asset, and with some support and opportunity, he can break free from his family’s traditional occupation and build a better future.

Lost Spring Extra Questions Value Based Type

Question 1: Carefully read the following phrases and sentences taken from the text. Can you identify the literary device in each example?

Phrase/Sentence	Literary Device
Saheb-e-Alam, which means the lord of the universe, is directly in contrast to what Saheb is in reality.	Irony / Contrast
Drowned in an air of desolation.	Metaphor
Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.	Metaphor / Contrast
For the children it is wrapped in wonder; for the elders it is a means of survival.	Contrast
As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make.	Simile
She still has bangles on her wrist, but not light in her eyes.	Contrast / Symbolism
Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.	Contrast (implying isolation from the rest of the world)
Web of poverty.	Metaphor
Scrounging for gold.	Hyperbole / Metaphor
And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions of a fine art.	Hyperbole / Irony
The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulders.	Contrast / Symbolism