LOST SPRING Stories of Stolen Child hood.

Anees Jung

1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has
he come form?
2. What explanation does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
4. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry?
6. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different form that of his family?
7. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from village to
cities?
8. 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?
9. What forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in
poverty?
10. How in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?
11. Who was Saheb? What was he doing and why?
12. What is the meaning of Saheb’s full name? Does he know it? How does he
conduct himself?
13. How does the author focus on the ‘perpetual state of poverty’ of the children
not wearing footwear?
14. Explain: “For children, garbage has a meaning different form what tit means
to their parents”?
15. Where does the author find Saheb one winter morning? What explanation
does Saheb offer?
16. How has ‘a dream come true’ for Saheb but what is out of his reach?
17. How does Saheb’s life change when he starts working at the tea-stall?
18. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? Why does it look like ‘a mirage amidst
the dust?
19. What do you learn about Firozabad form this chapter?
20. “Born in the caste of bangle markets they have seen nothing but bangles”
Where do they see bangles?
21. What contrast do you notice between the colours of the bangles and the
atmosphere of the place where these bangles are made?
22. What are most of the bangle makers ignorant of? Want would happen if law
were enforced strictly?
23. Where is Mukesh’s house located? What is he proud of?
24. What impression do you form about Mukesh’s family on having a glimpse of
their house?
25. Give the thumbnail sketch of the ‘frail young woman’ in the chapter?

Your passion will define your limits… strive for more.

26. How would you regard Mukesh’s father’s life and achievements?
27. “Savita is a symbol of innocence and efficiency” Comment.
28. What do bangles symbolize? When according to the author will Savita know
‘the sanctity of the bangles she helps make? How the Indian bride dressed?
29. “She still has bangles on her wrist but no light in her eyes” What exactly does
the author want to convey through this?
30. “The young men echo the lament of their elders” What do you think is the
common complaint? How has it affected their lives?
31. Why do the bangle-makers not organize themselves into a co-operative?
32. Which two distinct worlds does the author notice among the bangle-making
industry?
33. Who is Saheb? What does he do?
34. Why did he migrate form his native place?
35. Why does Saheb not go to school?
36. What is contradictory with Saheb?
37. How do people live in Seemapuri?
38. What does garbage dump mean for a rag picker child?
39. What is Saheb’s dream? What job does he get?
40. Where does Mukesh belong? What is his dream?
41. Why is bangle business illegal for children?
42. What is the living condition of bangle workers?
43. How do the people of Firozabad feel about bangle business?
44. How are bangle makers victimized?
45. Why do you think is the plight of the children born in the families of bangle
makers?
46. What does Saheb do for a living? Why?
47. What was Saheb’s full name? Was it suitable name for him? Why?
48. “I wonder if this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of
poverty? In wwhat context does the author make this remark?
49. “Seemapuri is on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away form it
metaphorically’. Explain what the author means by this?
50. “Sheb is no longer his own master’ Says the writer. What does she mean?
51. “A hole in them does not bother him’. What does this refer to and what does it
tell you about the circumstances of the person in question?
52. Where does Mukesh hail from and what are the dreams? Do you think that his
dreams are in consonance with his circumstances?
53. What trade does the family of Mukesth follow? Why does the writer feel that
it will be difficult for Mukesh to break away form this tradition?
54. “His dreams loom like a mirage” Whose dreams are being referred to and why
are they compared to a mirage?
55. “Saheb is no long his own master. Mukesh insists on being his own master”
Discuss with reference to the chapter? (Long)
56. “Lost spring’ is a sad commentary on the political system of our country that
condemns thousands of people to a life of abject poverty. Comment?
57. The paradoxes of the society that we live in are aptly featured in Lost spring?
58. Dreams are often far removed from reality. Discuss with reference to Lost
Spring.
59. What do you think is the theme of “Lost Spring”?
60. What are the dreams of the poor like Saheb –e-alam and Mukesh? Could these
be realized? What is the reality of the situation?
61. Firozabad presents a strange paradox. Contrast the beauty of the glass bangles
of Firozabad with the misery of people who produce them?
62. “Survival; in Seemapuri means rag picking” “Garbage to them is gold” , “For
the children it is wrapped in wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival”.
In the light of the above remarks write an account of the life and activities of
the rag pickers settled in Seemapuri.
63. “The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of
making bangles not even enough to eat…´Comment on the hardships of the
bangle makers of Firozabad with special emphasis on the forces that conspires
against them and obstruct their progress.
64. Compare and contrast the two families of bangle-sellers portrayed in “Lost
Spring” Comment on the roles of individuals in highlighting the issues raised
by the author?

Lali Mathew M.A. M.Ed Sheeshmahal Apartment, 9810312549.